By Zephyria Lee Hae-sung and Director Kang shook hands and moved towards the window to talk. The atmosphere seemed to be mostly Director Kang comforting Lee Hae-sung. The two seemed to have grown much closer during the twists and turns of the film’s production being halted and then restarted.
Choi Hong-seo’s death was now an event from almost a year ago. In the intervening time, there were bound to be changes for Lee Hae-sung and those around him.
“If everyone could please take their seats, we will begin the event in earnest. Is there anyone who hasn’t arrived yet? Could you please check if all the staff and actors, our colleagues, have arrived?”
As the people who had all been standing exchanged glances, the production manager stepped forward and skillfully began to organize the atmosphere. Choi Hong-seo also hurried to find his seat in the meantime.
“The atmosphere was insane while you were gone, Hyung.”
As soon as he sat down, Park Dong-ha whispered in a low voice.
“Lee Hae-sung got really scary angry when they badmouthed Choi Hong-seo. I thought they were going to cancel a cast member’s role.”
Although Choi Hong-seo had watched the entire situation from outside the door, Park Dong-ha’s seat wouldn’t have been able to see Choi Hong-seo. Glancing at Lee Hae-sung and Director Kang returning to the table after their conversation, Choi Hong-seo showed no reaction.
With the awkward tension still lingering, the reception began.
With the production manager as the MC, Director Kang gave the first greeting and his thoughts. His speech was mostly a request for fellow actors and staff to help the newly joined actors adapt well and immerse themselves in the project.
“Since a certain amount of pre-production was already done, there are only about 2 to 3 months left until principal photography begins. So, I know the newly cast lead actors must have many concerns… Yes, we will actively help you fully grasp the script through weekly or bi-weekly script readings and individual interviews with the director… Please don’t worry about that.”
Director Kang spoke in his characteristic, exaggeratedly gentle tone.
“Director, you’re scary! Isn’t it Spartan?”
Someone shouted playfully, and Director Kang responded with a laugh.
“Everyone knew I coached in a Spartan style when they auditioned, so, yes, it’s fine. You’ll all experience firsthand why your acting improves so much after working with me.”
A gentle laughter spread through the audience, and the atmosphere became much softer. Despite his seemingly delicate appearance, Director Kang was indeed a director with a long career, recognized as a master.
“And as was briefly mentioned a moment ago… regarding Choi Hong-seo, who was originally cast as Hwang Ji-woo, I hope everyone has accurate information. He was our colleague in the same industry, and you all know how terrifying public prejudice, malicious comments, and irresponsible rumors can be. Should we, too, turn away from the truth that has already been revealed and attack the deceased?”
At the director’s gentle persuasion, everyone shut their mouths. Some nodded.
“Since we’re among ourselves, the truth is that
As Director Kang spoke, Choi Hong-seo’s head drooped lower and lower.
Lee Hae-sung had decided to invest because of Choi Hong-seo, the production was halted when Choi Hong-seo died, and Lee Hae-sung, who decided to continue investing with the resolve to complete the film for Choi Hong-seo’s sake, allowed production to resume. — This is how it must have sounded to Lee Hae-sung, who had met him for the first time to secure investment for
“Next, we have Lee Hae-sung, the representative of ‘Hieutsiut,’ the film’s largest investor.”
At the production manager’s voice announcing his name, Choi Hong-seo slowly raised his head. He stood up and looked around the room with an indifferent expression.
“I am Lee Hae-sung, as introduced.”
Unlike the dinner gathering he had attended as Choi Hong-seo last time, even though about thirty people, including actors, staff, and investors, were gathered, he did not raise his voice.
“Personally,
The actors and staff silently exchanged glances, their eyes meeting. Everyone looked curious as to how this film could hold special meaning for Lee Hae-sung of ARA.
Lee Hae-sung continued, unperturbed.
“Although I have my own business, I intend to actively participate in as much of the production process as possible to encourage and support the actors and staff. I ask for your cooperation so that
After he bowed his head briefly, a somewhat solemn and quiet applause followed.
If I go there, I can see Hong-seo. So, I have to go.
The past him had said so. Today, he was speaking his reason for attending, even though Choi Hong-seo was not present, like a code.
Personally, the reasons why this film was special, why he, the Vice President of ARA, was trying to actively participate in its production, and why he wanted this film, more than any other, to be completed beautifully… all of them were codes that only Choi Hong-seo could understand.
Other investors, PDs, general managers and team leaders from each department, actors… a brief introduction of each followed. But Choi Hong-seo heard none of it.
He felt guilty, as if he had put on an invisibility cloak and attended an uninvited gathering, eavesdropping on secrets. It was a place he was not permitted to see or hear.
When he was called by the name Yoon Hye-an, which still felt unfamiliar, Choi Hong-seo hesitantly rose from his seat.
“Hello. I am Yoon Hye-an, playing the role of Hwang Ji-woo. First, I am deeply honored to be a part of Director Kang’s work. As I am joining late, I will work diligently to understand the project and my character well. I look forward to working with you.”
Lee Hae-sung, seated in the place of honor next to Director Kang with his arms firmly crossed, was looking at him. At the word ‘diligence,’ spoken out of habit, Lee Hae-sung’s brow and eyebrows twitched.
Strangely, at this moment, he felt he could clearly understand what the man was thinking. Hong-seo was supposed to be in that seat, it was Hong-seo’s seat… through Yoon Hye-an’s presence, he was undoubtedly feeling Choi Hong-seo’s absence intensely.
Just as Choi Hong-seo himself felt his own death more clearly through Lee Hae-sung’s rejection of him, perceiving him as Yoon Hye-an.
“Diligence… Pfft. If you’re diligent just twice more, you’ll ruin the whole movie.”
As Choi Hong-seo sat down after finishing his greeting, Seo Jun-yeong, sitting opposite him, sneered. It was quiet enough not to be heard all the way to the honored seats inside, but it was perfectly audible to Choi Hong-seo, directly across from him. Seo Jun-yeong seemed to have suffered from Yoon Hye-an’s lack of diligence while working together. However, unlike Yong-jae’s worries, Choi Hong-seo wasn’t particularly bothered by such attacks. It felt like a very minor issue. Unlike before.
The proper dinner party began. As the purpose of the gathering was for people who would be working together for up to a year, including post-production1) work, to get acquainted and build rapport, it became boisterous like any ordinary company dinner after the initial greetings and introductions.
Drinks and food were served, and the smell and sound of grilling meat, the smoke, the laughter and chatter of people instantly filled the space.
No one spoke to him unless it was Park Dong-ha, but that made no difference to Choi Hong-seo either. It was rather a relief that they let him observe quietly.
From the beginning, he was drinking at a rather fast pace. He accepted every drink offered, downing them one after another, which was a little concerning.
“But about Lee Hae-sung. Did something happen between him and Choi Hong-seo?”
Glancing towards the honored seats where the key production staff were gathered, Seo Jun-yeong cautiously opened his mouth. Choi Hong-seo couldn’t help but perk up at the sound.
“What do you mean?”
“No, it’s too strange. Unless it was about someone he was really close to, why would he get so angry earlier… Honestly, wasn’t that over the top?”
“It was a bit much. Like he heard someone insult his family.”
Oh In-kyung, who had directly received Lee Hae-sung’s reprimand along with Seo Jun-yeong, chimed in.
“Exactly! There’s no reason for Lee Hae-sung to defend Choi Hong-seo that much. Weren’t they… involved?”
“Involved? Like, a sponsor? And between men? Ugh… I really don’t like that kind of thing.”
Someone listening to the conversation retracted their chopsticks, which were reaching for meat, and shuddered with a deeply furrowed brow.
“Choi Hong-seo was that ‘X-guy,’ right? Lee Hae-sung could have been Choi Hong-seo’s night guest too.”
Choi Hong-seo couldn’t listen to Seo Jun-yeong’s speculation any longer.
“He wasn’t trying to defend Choi Hong-seo, he just wanted to correct misinformation.”
“……”
The people who had been chattering about the topic all turned to look at Choi Hong-seo. Their faces were all displeased, as if asking, ‘Who asked you?’ But Choi Hong-seo had no intention of quietly shrinking away on this matter.
To these people, Choi Hong-seo was the ‘disgraced X-guy’ who had taken his own life. No matter who pointed out the truth, even if they knew they were wrong, they wouldn’t change their minds. He didn’t want them to associate such a Choi Hong-seo with Lee Hae-sung. Lee Hae-sung should have no connection to the name Choi Hong-seo.
And a sponsor, of all things.
He had never proposed any meeting with conditions. It was Choi Hong-seo himself who had first tempted them, wanting to sleep together. He was so angry he wanted to rage about why they were talking nonsense about things they didn’t know.
Seo Jun-yeong, who had been looking at him with a sour expression, tilted his chin and asked,
“How would Yoon Hye-an know that?”
“Because the Vice President doesn’t seem like the type of person to do that.”
“So, on what grounds?”
“I was just speculating. Just as you, Seonbae, were speculating freely.”
“So you still have that attitude, even pretending to have lost your memory.”
Seo Jun-yeong muttered, throwing down the chopsticks he was holding.
Post-production: The phase of filmmaking after shooting, including editing, sound mixing, and promotion.