Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Ad lib.

Not all directors welcome ad lib. Sometimes, a short line of dialogue can unexpectedly disrupt the world within the script and the immersion of the character, much like how its not the large rock but the small pebble that trips you over.

Director Shin Seonghyeon was no exception. He was notorious for disliking unprepared ad libs. However,

Wasnt it a fantastic scene?

The assistant director, Kim Seokcheol, couldnt disagree. Wasnt it a scene that perfectly contrasted Mattew (Jang Yeongguk) and James (Kim Hyeongseop)? The spontaneous scene penetrated their differing views on sin.

Director, youre going to keep this scene, right?

Kim Seokcheol, the assistant director and scripter, asked. It was definitely a different ending from the continuity. However, it fit as if the scene was original. It was a given. He might dislike ad libs, but he couldnt possibly throw away a great scene like this.

Director Shin Seonghyeon stood up from his place and headed toward actor Kim Hyeongseop. He had something to ask him.

Kim Hyeong, what was that? What would have happened if we had mistakenly called NG? This kind of ad lib isnt bad, but next time, warn us so we dont get flustered.

Shin Seonghyeon and Kim Hyeongseop were university alumni. In reality, it would be difficult for a virtually unknown director like Shin Seonghyeon to cast a popular actor like Kim Hyeongseop in a commercial film. However, they had been burning with a shared passion for film since their university days. After endless persuasion, which was like moving heaven and earth, he finally succeeded in casting him.

Then, Actor Kim Hyeongseop licked his dry lips.

Well, I didnt know.

Of course, actor Kim Hyeongseop hadnt even expected the ad lib to succeed. After all, the direction was sudden. A stray cat happened to walk by, and he merely threw a question at it, not expecting an answer.

Yet.

The young actor caught the ad lib smoothly as if he had foreseen the whole situation. Whats more, his profound dialogue could be said to penetrate the script. Because of this, Kim Hyeongseop felt his whole body tense without realizing it.

Was I overwhelmed?

How long has it been since he felt such emotions? Sometimes when actors recite their lines to each other, a chemical reaction seems to occur, sparks fly. In particular, when standing in front of a great actor, one can feel the expression overwhelming come to life.

Despite it being a short line, there were countless times when he was overwhelmed by the aura and couldnt respond. The middle-aged Kim Hyeongseop also had this experience frequently in his rookie days. They used to call it got beaten up. It means losing in a fight of spirits between actors.

Kim Hyeong, what are you talking about?

Its exactly as I said. It wasnt the scene I thought of. Sure, I started it, but I couldnt lead it all. If anything, I was the one caught off guard.Follow the latest novels on no/velbin(.)com

Kim Hyeongseop turned his gaze toward the source of the noisy chatter.

The rookie actor (Jang Yeongguk) who had given him a sense of tension and his manager were having a heated conversation. Director Shin Seonghyeon also seemed to finally notice Kim Hyeongseops gaze.

The fact that the brilliant scene created by a moment of wit was not the work of middle-aged actor Kim Hyeongseop, but the work of rookie actor Jang Yeongguk. At that moment, Actor Kim Hyeongseop showed a faint smile and added.

Man, where did such a monster come from?

* * *

The schoolyard at lunchtime was bustling. It should be getting chilly with the arrival of fall, but the students running around the sports field were bumping into each other in short sleeves. A fierce mental battle was taking place around the soccer ball.

Then, the ball got caught at Yeongguks feet. Despite his tall height, which would have hinder his progress, he skillfully dodged the defenders and made a run for it. The ball released from Yeongguks feet undoubtedly shook the net, and at that moment, the boys all rushed to Yeongguk and cheered.

Really nice.

Now he could understand why CEO Kim Seonghwan told him to relive his school life. The fatigue accumulated on the filming set disappeared at once, and he regained his vitality intertwined with the energy of the schoolyard.

At the faucet in a corner of the sports field, they all rinsed off their sweaty bodies and quenched their parched throats. The boys faces were full of smiles. After all, wasnt it an age when its okay to roll in the dirt?

It was then.

Sunbae!

Yeongguk wiped his faucet-wet face with his long fingers and lifts his head. They were his juniors who had been watching the soccer match seated on the sports field bench until a while ago.

Is this the harm of drama?

It has been over a month since the drama Youth ended, but there are still female students offering handkerchiefs. Hadnt a scene where the male protagonist gets offered handkerchiefs by juniors and seniors after a basketball match aired in the drama? Sure enough, a similar scene was being played out.

I appreciate it, but you dont have to do this next time. I sweat a lot after exercising, so I always carry a towel around.

Yeongguk rejected the next handkerchief in advance, not wanting to make their goodwill uncomfortable. The owner of the lucky handkerchief selected by Yeongguk didnt know what to do with joy.

Youre a total superstar. Really.

Sure enough, the class president, leaning back, appeared. He felt sorry for her. As a vice-president, Yeongguk should naturally help with class work, but he had been busy filming a movie.

As a result, she had practically taken on all the affairs of the class alone. Even so, she only left him words of encouragement for his film shooting without showing any signs of difficulty, which was unexpectedly touching.

The homeroom teacher is looking for you.

Why?

How would I know that?!

Anyway, the irritation was still there. The look on the class presidents face as he left the water faucet and climbed the stairs was somewhat regretful. A white towel hung from the hand shed been leaning back on.

She had wanted to pass on her towel somehow today of all days. But Yeongguk would have no idea about this fact. He was a guy who seemed to lack tact from time to time.

The teachers office.

The homeroom teacher asked Yeongguk,

Yeongguk, you said you dont have a film shoot on Thursday, right?

Yes, teacher.

Sehwa High School?

Yeon Su confidently nodded in response.

Im definitely going to get in.

After all, he was there. There was no doubt that it was Yeon Sus ultimate goal.

* * *

Daebak.

If you looked at the series of actions taking place in my grandfather (Director Baek Janghun)s mansion, its the perfect word. Not only my uncle (Actor Ahn Junghyeon), even actor Kim Hyeongseop came. The three of them enjoying drinks filled the mansion with the smell of alcohol.

How many bottles have you already had?

Theres a long line of soju bottles. Its a familiar sight from my past life. For some reason, there were many heavy drinkers among actors and film directors. I knew that my grandfather and uncle enjoyed their drinks, but I didnt realize they could drink this much.

Master, Yeongguk, this punk, is really something. Something!

Hehe, is that so?

Damn, hes really something. I knew it from the moment I saw him as a kid. That hed become something big! But does Yeongguk really act well on the set?

Hyung, would I call him something just cause he acts well? Its his quick wit thats impressive. Once, I tried to ad-lib, and he overwhelmed me. Its been a while since Ive felt that way. It took me back to the time I acted in front of you.

What? Such a thing happened?

My uncle and Kim Hyeongseop, who were known to be on bad terms with each other, were so absorbed in their conversation that they seemed oblivious to everything else. Occasionally, my grandfather would add a word or two. The main topic of their conversation was me, with Kim Hyeongseop unwrapping his full story, and my grandfather and uncle listening attentively.

They seemed curious about how I behaved on the filming set. How much time had passed?

Yeongguk, come join us for a drink!

Uncle, Im underage.

Kid, look at your back, youre a grown-up now. Youll soon be getting married.

Ah

Master, Yeongguk is really something. Something!

Hehe, is that so?

The three of them were clearly drunk. It was obvious just by looking at them. My uncle, whose tongue has been loosened by alcohol, was encouraging a minor to drink, and Kim Hyeongseop was repeating the same lines to my grandfather in a slurred speech.

I never imagined that Kim Hyeongseop, whom I once thought was the pinnacle of supporting roles in my past life, would be such a talkative gentleman. And my uncle, the national actor, his on- and off-screen personalities were polar opposites. Eventually, my grandfather got up and left, but the conversation between my uncle and Kim Hyeongseop continued till dawn.

Uncle, sunbae-nim, thats enough for today, please.

Yeongguk, we dont have anyone waiting for us at home, so why are you in such a hurry?

Jeongseok-hyung is right.

Looking at those two, I think I understood why I needed to get married.

The next morning.

I helped the housekeeper prepare bean sprout hangover soup early in the morning. The three of them were totally drunk last night, so I hoped this wouldhelp them feel better. As I pedaled my bicycle to school, I could already sense the hustle and bustle preparing for the entrance information session.

Teacher, it seemed like a lot of people will be coming today?

With the entrance information session taking place in the auditorium, many outsiders visited the school. From students to their parents.

One could say its thanks to you, Yeongguk.

What?

Since your face is appearing in the media, it has greatly helped in image-making for the school. Its a good place for students to study and ever since you paved the way, it has become easier to work in the entertainment industry. Thanks to you, many students aspiring to enter the entertainment industry are applying to enter. Of course, it will depend on their grades.

Heh.

The school I had joined to spend my school days was just a normal school. After all, most kids who aspired to be actors or singers usually entered arts high schools.

I chose Sehwa High School because I was somewhat ambitious about my studies. For your information, Sehwa High School was a well-known humanities high school in Seoul, making it nearly impossible to get admitted with just decent grades.

Yeongguk, just take this to the auditorium. Once youre done, return to the classroom.

Is this all I have to do? You made it seem like you had a lot of work for me.

Look at the situation, while the parents might maintain their dignity, the middle schoolers will scream and cause a scene when they see your face. Even in our school, the first-year students, despite seeing your face all the time, line up with their towels and head to the sports field every lunch break.

I received the pamphlets from my homeroom teacher and left the teachers office. The corridor was empty as classes had already started. But anyway,

This is pretty heavy.

Just how many parents and students were coming for the entrance information session? The entrance information session pamphlets in my hand were quite heavy. As I was walking down the corridor leading to the auditorium,

Just at this time.

I noticed that my shoelaces were untied. I wondered when they had untied. It felt like someone was thinking about me, a silly thought. Eventually, I kneeled down to retie my shoelaces when,

Let me do it.

At the sudden voice, Yeongguk looked up. In front of him was a familiar-looking girl.

Like a scene from the past, the girl, flicking her long hair, knelt on one knee and tightly tied the young boys shoelaces. The scenery of the schoolyard reflected in the window overlaying them, the scene felt like a picture.