Rookie but One-in-a-Million Actor

Chapter 13

On the Set

March, the beginning of a new semester at the university.

With one in every four students being freshmen, the air was filled with excitement. The dormitory was bustling with the commotion of new residents.

*Click.*

“Bong-gun. Hi.”

“Of course, you’re the first to arrive. Choi Hwan.”

Kim Bong-gun dragged a black bag into the dormitory. It was full of daily necessities he had stashed away in the small theater’s storage.

Living in the countryside meant Bong-gun spent his vacations bouncing between the small theater and his friends’ places.

Choi Hwan smiled as he organized his books.

“Nope. The youngest arrived first.”

“The youngest? Oh, the oldest graduated, right?”

“Yep. A freshman.”

“Wow. So fresh.”

Park Moonseong, Choi Hwan, Kim Bong-gun. And even the graduated mate.

They had been sharing the same room for nearly two years. Once assigned a dorm room at Seoyeon University, changes were rare unless there were objections.

Some complained that the dormitory student council wasn’t doing their job, but most were satisfied with the system. Life was really fun if you got along well.

“This is your final semester too, right?”

Bong-gun asked as he roughly unpacked the bag.

Not just him, Choi Hwan and Park Moonseong were also nearing graduation. Everyone would be leaving except the youngest. Well, unless he was a weirdo who left before then.

“Yeah. I applied for an internship at the end of the semester. I won’t be around much.”

Choi Hwan replied, offering a snack bag.

Bong-gun looked puzzled but didn’t refuse.

“The youngest left this.”

“Left? Where to?”

“I don’t know. When I got here, there was a letter and snacks on the bed.”

At his words, Bong-gun reached for the bunk bed.

He felt something crinkle under his hand.

[Hello. I’m freshman Ha Mooyoung. Please take care of me. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to move in this week due to work. The timing just doesn’t match with curfew. So, I’ll formally introduce myself next week. See you then! ( ? )/]

“Cute, right?”

“Definitely has that freshman vibe.”

Bong-gun smiled faintly as he opened the bag.

It was perfect timing since he was craving something sweet. As he mechanically munched on the snack, Choi Hwan asked.

“How’s your writing going?”

“…Great. It’s going so well I could die of happiness.”

“That’s a long way of saying it’s not.”

Crunch. Bong-gun sat in his chair, staring blankly. The deadline for the ‘Korean University Literary Award,’ which was only open to university students, was fast approaching with the start of the semester. Since he was graduating soon, this would be his last chance.

“This time, I’ll pour my soul into it.”

“You greedy bastard. Isn’t winning other awards enough?”

“It’s like a rookie award. If I miss the timing, I’ll never get it.”

He had already failed three times in the drama category. While the prize money was significant, the winning piece would immediately be connected to Samyeong Theater in Daehangno for a performance. It was the best plan to escape unemployment.

Bong-gun leaned his head back and mumbled.

“If only the characters were a bit more intense.”

But it just wasn’t happening.

No matter how many times he rewrote, he wasn’t satisfied. Choi Hwan hesitated on how to comfort him and decided to stay silent. It was a world he, as an outsider, couldn’t understand. All he could say was…

“When the youngest arrives, let’s go out for drinks.”

“Sure. Let’s burn it all before graduation.”

“But what kind of job does he have as a freshman? Doesn’t seem like just a part-time gig.”

It was just a simple topic to lighten the mood. Bong-gun shrugged in response.

“Lucky him. Starting work right after entering university.”

* * *

[S#26. Alleyway Bar (Evening)]

Jungsoo sat with a hardened expression. He stared blankly at the bubbling tteokbokki and fish cake broth. As the outside darkened, streetlights flickered on.

*Click.*

Mooyoung hovered behind the director, watching the screen. The exhausted Enbin, no, Jungsoo. After his father passed away, he was left with only a food cart. It was a scene with no customers.

“Okay. Cut.”

The director paused briefly before calling the cut.

Only then did Enbin sniff the aroma of the tteokbokki.

“Enbin, we’ll do one more take from a high angle.”

“Sure.”

“From the streetlight’s perspective.”

“Got it.”

As soon as the director finished speaking, the camera moved upwards. Mooyoung, amazed like a primitive man seeing modern technology, couldn’t take his eyes off it.

‘The set is really pretty.’

Opening the door revealed another world.

A small alley created in a space of about 60 pyeong (about 200 square meters). Everything was meticulously designed for a whimsical, fairy tale-like presentation.

For example, the posters and graffiti on the walls, the teddy bear discarded under the streetlight, the lights decorating the food cart, etc.

‘I get why the team leader kept mentioning PPL (product placement).’

The power of money, indeed.

With the orange-tinted lights, the video had a warm and sensuous feel.

Mooyoung met Enbin’s gaze and gave him a thumbs up.

“Enbin’s doing great!”

When he shouted with his clear voice, the staff chuckled faintly. It was something he had been saying since morning.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“What did I do?”

“You’ve been on standby since morning.”

“Exactly. I haven’t done anything, so it’s fine.”

Enbin wanted to tell him that doing nothing was the hardest part but held back. Mooyoung’s first scene was just beginning. He could’ve come later, but he foolishly showed up since morning.

“Should I help clean up too?”

“Yeah, that’d be great. With the high angle shot, we’ll just see the bear’s top, so we need to lay it flat.”

“Wow. That’ll be so cute.”

Whether to call it overreaching or kind-heartedness, in between scenes, Mooyoung cheered for Enbin and helped out the staff.

“Mooyoung, stop that and come get your makeup done.”

“Finally!”

“Yeah, you’ve waited long enough. Come this way.”

“Wow. Is Mooyoung finally going to say some lines?”

“Haha! My mouth’s going to start tasting sweet!”

Thanks to this, the atmosphere on set was at its peak.

Even though he wasn’t the lead, or even a major supporting actor, Mooyoung’s presence was surprisingly significant.

“Noona, please make me look more handsome than Enbin.”

“Are you kidding? Noona, tone down his face.”

Moreover, since he was able to casually banter with top idol Enbin, it naturally strengthened his bond with the staff as well.

“Why are those two so close? Were they friends before?”

An external staff member, not from Square Films, asked while checking the script, looking puzzled.

From what they heard, Mooyoung was a complete rookie, without even an agency. The manager, scribbling notes, answered.

“Maybe it’s because they’re around the same age. They seem to get along well. They practiced together whenever they had time. Is it right that scene 34 in episode 2 involves getting wet? Should we prepare extra underwear?”

“No, the bust shot should be fine. But just in case, prepare a couple of extras. Does Enbin have free time?”

“They say you don’t find time to practice; you make time.”

“That’s a good attitude for a rookie. That’s how you have a long career.”

The manager merely raised an eyebrow without responding. It was likely something Mooyoung had said.

Additionally, there was no need to disclose the details of some shady deal related to a stalker.

The Square Films staff also kept their mouths shut.

“Director, is Mooyoung supposed to enter the frame in the street food scene? Should we lock the shot?”

“Yes, that’s right. Keep the shot until he sits down.”

“What about the effects scene?”

“It will go from Mooyoung’s shoulder to a close-up of Enbin’s face. Mooyoung will be out of focus. We’ll shoot it once and then transition the scene.”

“Got it.”

“Prepare the ND filter (lens filter to reduce brightness)!”

The director checked the time and hurried.

The footage he saw through the viewfinder was really satisfying, and he was eager to move on to the editing. When the preparations for the next scene were almost complete:

“We’re ready.”

Mooyoung appeared in a school uniform.

His slightly disheveled hair and innocent smile. They said he was a high school student not long ago, and it showed. Walking slowly in front of the street food stall to check his movements in advance.

‘Nice.’

The director, the assistant director, and other staff watching all murmured in agreement.

Some praised his natural walk and ability to hit key points, while others were impressed by his side profile that shone as much as Enbin’s.

“Can Mooyoung act?”

“Act?”

An external staff member asked.

They had heard the cheers since morning but hadn’t seen him practicing. The team leader who had attended the audition just smiled.

“You’ll see.”

With those few words.

After finishing the final camera check, Mooyoung stood at the edge of the set. The lights dimmed.

“Mooyoung, are you ready?”

“Yes.”

He replied with a slight smile.

Then he looked straight ahead and focused.

Emotions gradually rising. The exhausting day of an unnamed “student customer” piled up.

“Ready-!”

Mooyoung swallowed and lifted his head.

The fresh boy from a moment ago was gone, replaced by a high school student soaked in the darkness of the alley. The staff, including Enbin, were instantly drawn in.

“Action-!”

[#27. Alley]

The student customer walks weakly. He walks slowly past the street food stall. But then he turns back to look at the stall.

This is the frame in!

In the frozen frame, Mooyoung had walked past and then turned back.

[#28. In front of the stall]

The student customer, as if making up his mind, pulls back the tent and enters.

“Hello, are you open?”

With that line, Mooyoung sat down on a chair.

The angle, which had been filming his back, slowly zoomed in, capturing Enbin’s expression over Mooyoung’s shoulder. At the same time, Mooyoung became out of focus. There would be sound effects here.

‘He was the first customer.’

Enbin’s voice would narrate in a flashback.

The staff watching were astonished. The change in tone was incredible. Even the Square Films staff who had seen him at the audition were once again impressed.

“Okay. Cut. Let’s go right away.”

The angle shifted from his back to the side.

“What would you like?”

“The best-selling item, please. Just a little. No tteokbokki or soondae. Something that adults eat.”

“Adults… what do they eat?”

“That’s something the adult owner should know, not me.”

As Enbin took the 5,000 won bill from Mooyoung, he awkwardly rubbed his forehead. Mooyoung sighed and rubbed his eyes.

“Sorry. I’m a bit tired today.”

“No, it’s okay. Everyone has those days.”

Enbin’s kind words. Mooyoung bit his lip to hold back the rising tears. But the moisture in his eyes grew, eventually spilling down his cheek.

‘Oh my.’

People on set, quietly watching Mooyoung’s performance, were moved. Seeing him, they too felt a pang in their hearts.

He portrayed emotions that elicited empathy from the audience.

Mooyoung wiped away his tears with a smile.

“Okay-! Cut!”

Clap!

The director clapped his hands loudly. Then, the boy switched from the student customer back to Mooyoung in an instant.

During the five continuous takes of this scene from various angles, Mooyoung delivered a flawless performance every time.

“That kid is really good.”

“Yeah, but…”

“But what?”

“No, it’s just… He’s really good, but there’s something a bit unusual about him.”

While the staff were puzzled,

Only the director, who kept watching the monitor, knew the answer. Mooyoung’s skill left him in constant awe.

‘I’ve never seen anything like that. Who is that kid, really?’

It wasn’t during the reading, but on set, captured by the camera alongside other actors. This was where Mooyoung’s true value shone through.