By Zephyria “That’s right. You just said everything was good during the reading. Please tell us our shortcomings too. We want to use it as a reference.”
Shin Hyo-jin chimed in. Director Jeong seemed hesitant.
“I don’t want to discourage the actors already during pre-production.”
“I don’t think anyone here is easily discouraged, Director.”
Shin Hyo-jin’s words made several people burst into laughter.
“Hmm. Then I guess I’ll have to wield the whip a bit.”
Director Jeong, with his gentle demeanor and more white hair than black, smiled playfully.
At that moment, Song Hyun-soo was still laughing at Director Jeong’s joke. His voice had trembled a lot during the script reading, but everyone seemed to find it endearing, and Director Jeong had smiled with satisfaction, saying it was good. He had even expected to receive specific praise.
“It’s good that everyone focused on their roles. Everyone prepared diligently. However, I think the understanding of other characters and the interaction with other actors were relatively overlooked.”
Yoon Joo-ho’s rustling was detected from under the table. What was that? Was he texting while the director was speaking? He’s not like a student secretly using their phone during class…
“For example. Joo-young, your role requires you to maintain a Korean-American accent. But if you immerse yourself only in your own character without considering the tone of other actors, you’ll stand out too much.”
Song Hyun-soo glanced down under the table. Yoon Joo-ho was recording the director’s feedback.
“Everyone speaks fluent Korean, and I’m the only one with a different accent. So, wouldn’t I naturally stand out?”
Han Joo-young questioned the director.
“There’s a difference between making subtle changes within the same flow and diverging completely.”
Song Hyun-soo nodded.
I think I understand, Director. You mean that within the same Slam Dunk universe, you need to create the difference between Kang Baek-ho and Seo Tae-woong, but you shouldn’t become Seo Tae-woong who has invaded the Crayon Shin-chan universe.
“What about me, Director?”
Shin Hyo-jin’s eyes sparkled as she pulled her chair closer.
“Hyo-jin is good. Everyone knows Shin Hyo-jin is good. But depending on the nature of the project or the acting styles of other actors, there’s a need to adjust one’s own acting tone.”
“Actually, I was quite flustered today too.”
“Everyone felt so disconnected, didn’t they?”
“Yes…”
Shin Hyo-jin replied with an awkward laugh.
“It was the first reading. There’s no need to worry too much. Rather than who did well or poorly, it’s about coordinating with each other going forward.”
Shin Hyo-jin was an actor whose talent was recognized by everyone. In films especially, her acting skills became a topic of discussion with every project she took on. When even she received criticism, Song Hyun-soo began to feel uneasy.
“Hyun-soo.”
“Yes, Director!”
Hearing his stiff, frozen reply, the director offered a gentle smile. But even that kind smile no longer reassured Song Hyun-soo.
“Have you seen my films, Hyun-soo?”
“I’ve seen all of them.”
“All of them?”
Not only Director Jeong Joon-hee but also Yoon Joo-ho, sitting beside him, turned to look at Song Hyun-soo.
“Yes, I’ve seen them all, starting from the ones you participated in as an assistant director.”
“Quite the passionate young man.”
After his casting for this project was confirmed, he had stayed up late, cutting into his sleep, to thoroughly study the director’s works. To prepare for the role of Sani, he wanted to do everything he could at this stage. Since he didn’t have an agency, he couldn’t afford an acting coach, and his only training was going to the theater two or three times a week to watch senior actors and teach himself.
“I heard this is your first feature film. You must be very nervous.”
“Yes… I’m sorry.”
“Hahaha. You’re apologizing before we’ve even started.”
“I was just so shaky during the reading earlier.”
“My directing career has spanned over 35 years now. I can tell at a glance whether an actor is diligent or just coasts by relying on their talent. I know you’ve prepared diligently, Hyun-soo.”
Song Hyun-soo clamped his mouth shut and lowered his head. The tips of his ears burned. It wasn’t out of embarrassment or shame, but gratitude for Director Jeong acknowledging his effort.
Until now, he had only ever been yelled at on set. “Can’t you even deliver a single line properly? That’s why you’re unknown.” He had to endure such insults and then bow his head, saying “I’m sorry, I’ll try again.”
At first, he truly thought his acting was the problem. But there was no way a single line for a minor role, requiring no narrative or emotional depth, would demand immense acting prowess. As he gained more on-set experience, he naturally understood. There were directors and production staff who took out their stress on minor actors and extras, stress they received from lead actors.
“You don’t need to be so nervous. Do you know why?”
Song Hyun-soo looked up at Director Jeong.
“I don’t need a puppet that will perfectly replicate every comma and word of the script. Whether Sani remains a puppet or breathes life on screen, that depends entirely on the actor, Song Hyun-soo.”
“…”
“So, you don’t need to watch my every move. You can express Sani in your own way.”
“…”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Honestly, I don’t quite understand.
But he couldn’t say that in front of the director. Song Hyun-soo just offered an awkward smile. Director Jeong Joon-hee would have known. He would have known that this unknown actor didn’t understand even half of what he was saying. But he didn’t press further and backed off.
“And Joo-ho…”
Director Jeong, who had been hunched over looking at Song Hyun-soo, slowly shifted his gaze to Yoon Joo-ho.
He probably has nothing to say to Yoon Joo-ho. Even I, who was so nervous, thought his acting was incredibly stable. It was almost painful to watch.
Song Hyun-soo felt a sense of vindication, hoping Director Jeong would praise Yoon Joo-ho in front of everyone, especially Han Joo-young.
“Joo-ho, I know you’ve been doing dramas for a long time. I also know how ambitious you are about acting. But this time, you’re overthinking it.”
“The character Baek Kang in the project also seems like someone who overthinks things.”
“Ha, that’s true too.”
Director Jeong nodded and laughed as if amused. But the words that followed after his laughter subsided were different from Song Hyun-soo’s expectations.
“However, if you’re too caught up in wanting to do well yourself, it’s easy to miss the beauty of harmony. Do you think a good choir piece will emerge just by gathering talented singers? It’s the same with movies. Just because each person does their own role well doesn’t mean it will lead to a good film.”
Yoon Joo-ho listened intently, his expression unchanged. But Song Hyun-soo was shocked. It felt like witnessing the leader of a religion he had blindly believed in being arrested and led away.
He didn’t want to see Yoon Joo-ho criticized for his acting. It was as painful as watching a hero falter in a fierce battle against a villain. Yet, he couldn’t tear his eyes away from Yoon Joo-ho’s profile. “Still, you’ll win in the end, won’t you, senior? Even if you get hit a few times at first, the hero fights back and knocks them all down in the end, right? I can’t watch movies other than that.”
“I understand. I’ll think about it more.”
With Yoon Joo-ho’s response, Director Jeong Joon-hee sighed and urgently reached for some soju.
“Ugh, it’s so exhausting to push them hard during the pre-production phase.”
“You’re doing a fine job wielding that whip, though.”
Actor Choi Do-hoon, standing nearby, chuckled, finding the sweating Director Jeong amusing.
“Actor Choi, say a word to the juniors too. They must all want to hear advice from a senior.”
“They probably don’t want to hear it. It’d be a relief if they didn’t think of it as nagging. Besides, they’re professionals, just like me, so they’ll manage on their own.”
“Then, are you trying to make me the only nagging director?”
In the end, no actor had completely satisfied Director Jeong during the first script reading. At least, none of the young actors had. It felt foolish to have been happy just hearing he liked it during the reading, unaware of this.
But what made Song Hyun-soo shrink further was the fact that even Yoon Joo-ho had been criticized. Yoon Joo-ho, who had finished recording, was labeling the files. Song Hyun-soo felt a pang of resentment towards Yoon Joo-ho, who seemed unfazed.