By Zephyria 
When Song Hyun-soo arrived, the production company building for
It was the day they were filming promotional videos for the movie before the script reading.
He had tried to hurry, but styling his own hair took longer than usual. Still, he arrived early, and as expected, Yoon Joo-ho was already there, getting his makeup done in a corner of the busy conference room.
Their eyes met over the shoulder of a stylist he hadn’t seen before, but the distance was awkward for a cheerful greeting or even just an eye-greeting, so he casually turned his head away as if he hadn’t seen him.
Since he had been informed in advance about the filming, Song Hyun-soo paid more attention to his outfit and hair than usual. He had even received advice from Yoon Joo-ho during that process.
‘It’s a casual video to be uploaded to the production company’s YouTube. If you dress up too much, it’ll look awkward. Since you’re a rookie, focus on giving a neat impression.’
In the past, he would have called Jung Ji-in, who was far away, or wracked his brain with Jung-ho. Now, the fact that he had more people to consult with, even unknowingly, was reassuring. Especially since it was advice from Yoon Joo-ho, who was at the top of the industry, it gave him peace of mind in many ways compared to the days when he and Jung-ho were struggling alone.
“Are you actor Song Hyun-soo?”
As he took a deep breath to calm his nerves in a corner of the chaotic conference room, someone approached and asked in a sharp voice. The person seemed to be a staff member from the filming crew. Song Hyun-soo bowed his head first.
“Ah, yes, that’s right. Please take care of me.”
“What are you doing just standing here? You should have said something when you arrived…”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
Song Hyun-soo apologized quickly and concisely.
In a busy and chaotic set, it was common for staff to get annoyed. This wasn’t something to be intimidated or embarrassed by.
“Did you receive the script for the filming later?”
“No, I haven’t yet.”
“Where is your manager?”
“I don’t have a manager.”
“If you don’t have a manager, the actor should take care of it themselves.”
‘Sigh, I’m so busy, this is really annoying.’ — The staff member muttered to themselves while looking at the chart in their hand. Then, they spoke in a flat, dry, and rapid tone.
“The production company should have prepared your script. Get it and if there’s anything you want to change, discuss it beforehand and make changes. Song Hyun-soo’s turn is last. Don’t miss your filming order and be ready in advance.”
“Yes, I understand. Thank you!”
Song Hyun-soo bowed his back again to the retreating figure of the staff member who walked away quickly.
He had quite a bit of experience on film sets as an extra or a background actor. But this was his first time filming an interview, so he felt like he had returned to his rookie days.
This wasn’t the time. Song Hyun-soo quickly found PD Kim Yoo-kyung to get his script.
“Oh, here, your script. Sorry. I was so busy I couldn’t get it for you.”
“No, it should be me.”
“It’s only about 20 seconds. Not much. You’re last, right?”
“Yes.”
The main actors, Yoon Joo-ho and Shin Hyo-jin, along with Song Hyun-soo and Han Joo-young, who were classified as supporting roles but had significant parts, were scheduled to film a video. It was a video where each person would say a greeting in turn. As a rookie and the youngest by age, Song Hyun-soo was scheduled last. Depending on the situation on set, the youngest would sometimes go first, and sometimes last. There was no in-between for the youngest.
“Your outfit is pretty today.”
Song Hyun-soo felt a little relieved by PD Kim’s compliment.
“Am I okay?”
“Yes, it’s not too casual, but it looks like you put effort into it. It’s tasteful.”
PD Kim gave a thumbs-up.
Originally, he had planned to wear his horn-rimmed glasses and even a jacket. But after hearing Yoon Joo-ho’s words, he felt he had made the right choice to go for a cleaner look.
“There’s coffee and snacks prepared over there. Take a break and eat something while you wait. Okay?”
“Yes, thank you.”
PD Kim patted Song Hyun-soo’s shoulder and then walked away quickly towards another area.
Coffee. He felt like he needed to drink some coffee to clear his head.
He hadn’t slept well the night before due to nerves about the video shoot, which he was doing for the first time. A little caffeine would probably help.
While drinking coffee, he looked over the script, standing up.
Even though the video was only 20 seconds long, the amount of text wasn’t small. It was a formulaic script consisting of a self-introduction, a brief explanation of the character Lee San, and his resolve for the film. Now he had to memorize all of this and say it naturally, as if he were speaking.
“Hello, I am actor Song Hyun-soo, making my debut with the film
“You looked at me. Then you looked away?”
He didn’t know when Yoon Joo-ho had approached, but he was now standing right beside him. Pretending to choose from the snacks displayed on the table, he didn’t look at Song Hyun-soo.
“You’re here. I wasn’t avoiding you; I was in the middle of getting my makeup done, so it felt awkward to greet you.”
Yoon Joo-ho turned to look at Song Hyun-soo as he picked up a individually wrapped madeleine and peeled off the plastic. He immediately furrowed his brow and lightly gripped Song Hyun-soo’s chin, lifting his face.
“What’s wrong with your face? It’s your best feature.”
Glancing around, Song Hyun-soo subtly pulled his hand away.
“It’s because I didn’t sleep much.”
“Were you nervous about filming the video?”
Yoon Joo-ho chuckled and took a bite of the madeleine he had unwrapped. His laugh seemed to imply, ‘You’re nervous about just that?’ which made Song Hyun-soo bristle slightly.
“Of course, I’m nervous. It’s my first time.”
As he brought the straw in his coffee cup to his lips, Yoon Joo-ho snatched the cup away.
“What? Why are you doing that?”
“Coffee is bad for skin that hasn’t slept. And caffeine doesn’t help when you’re nervous. Drink water.”
He then picked up a bottle of mineral water placed behind the coffee and handed it over. Come to think of it, he was right.
As Song Hyun-soo twisted the cap off the water bottle, Yoon Joo-ho turned around and called someone.
“Sun-hye, could you do Song Hyun-soo’s makeup? Just a simple touch-up.”
At Yoon Joo-ho’s words, his stylist nodded and opened her makeup case.
“No, Senior, I’m really fine.”
“That’s what you think. It’s your first impression with
That, too, was a valid point. He had only applied a single layer of CC cream that Jung-ho had brought, and it felt impolite to stand in front of the camera like that. His complexion wasn’t great today either. It didn’t seem like the right time to refuse, so he quietly followed Yoon Joo-ho and took a seat on the chair Yoon Joo-ho had just vacated.
Yoon Joo-ho, standing beside him, took another bite of a madeleine and said to the stylist,
“Just cover the dark circles and make the skin look clean.”
“Yes, I will. Your skin is so good, there won’t be much to do, will there?”
The stylist replied as she dispensed some makeup base onto the back of her hand.
Since it was a simple shoot, it wasn’t the same director from last time, but a new staff member who looked to be around Song Hyun-soo’s age.
“Hello, I’m Song Hyun-soo. Thank you for taking care of me too. I know it’s a hassle.”
“Not at all. It’s my job. I actually prefer this to just sitting around. I’m Kang Sun-hye. The head director who handles Joo-ho Sunbae is my boss.”
“Ah, I see! I met the director last time.”
“When the director can’t make it to a schedule, I work with Senior.”
“Wow, you seem to be around my age, but your skills must be amazing.”
Song Hyun-soo said, closing his eyes as the sponge tapped his eyelids.
“It’s because the director and Senior guide me well.”
“Oh, no way. If you don’t have skills, Senior doesn’t hold back… Pfft, Pffft.”
Suddenly, Song Hyun-soo frowned at the sweet vanilla scent filling his mouth and opened his eyes slightly. Yoon Joo-ho, standing in front of him, was looking down at him askew.
“I let you get your makeup done, and now you’re badmouthing me?”
“What badmouthing? This is more like a compliment.”
It seemed Yoon Joo-ho had put the madeleine he was eating into Song Hyun-soo’s mouth.
Glancing at the stylist, who was trying to stifle her laughter, Song Hyun-soo chewed and swallowed the madeleine.
Whether it was his imagination or not, the distance between him and Yoon Joo-ho had felt completely strange since his birthday. Of course, Yoon Joo-ho had always been forward at times, but he used to keep a polite distance in front of others, calling him ‘Hyun-soo-ssi, Hyun-soo-ssi.’
Was it because they had seen each other naked?
Now that he realized he liked Yoon Joo-ho, he didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. Well, it was better than being ignored, as if they had seen it all.
When he stood up after the makeup was finished, Yoon Joo-ho again gripped his chin and examined his face from various angles. Not just the touch of his hand, but the proximity itself felt strangely close.
“Now you’re somewhat presentable.”
“Stop it.”
He tried to pull his arm away and turn his head, but Yoon Joo-ho was being stubborn this time. He tightened his grip, not letting go of Song Hyun-soo’s chin.
“Stop what?”
“Ah, people are going to think it’s strange.”
“……”
Did that remark touch a nerve? Yoon Joo-ho’s playful expression suddenly changed. It was the exact same look he had when he seemed like he would rub his lips against Song Hyun-soo’s at Jeong Seong-won’s birthday party.
“What’s wrong if people see? Did I kiss you or something?”
Song Hyun-soo put more force into it and broke free from Yoon Joo-ho.
“This isn’t the time for wordplay. I’m so nervous I could die.”
“You have the script. Think of it like acting. It’s probably easier than acting!”
Easy for a genius actor like you, perhaps.
As Song Hyun-soo turned halfway away from Yoon Joo-ho to take a drink of water, a filming staff member approached, calling for Yoon Joo-ho.
“Actor Yoon Joo-ho, are you… ready?”
The voice was careful and gentle, and unexpectedly, Song Hyun-soo turned around to see the same staff member who had just spoken to him with a hollow, annoyed tone.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Yoon Joo-ho replied lightly and followed him, while Song Hyun-soo blankly watched their backs.
Did he feel a sense of relative deprivation due to the difference in treatment? Not at all.
No matter what anyone said, Song Hyun-soo preferred movies where the protagonist triumphed without taking any hits.
He wanted to see Yoon Joo-ho, his childhood hero, loved, treated well, and shining at the top. Now that he knew how fiercely, seriously, and passionately Yoon Joo-ho loved acting behind the scenes, that feeling only grew stronger.
There was nothing to feel wronged or angry about. Instead, he felt proud.
The entire crew, other actors, staff, and production company employees all gathered behind the cameras in a fan shape to watch Yoon Joo-ho’s shoot. Yet, Yoon Joo-ho showed no signs of nervousness.
Yoon Joo-ho was in front of the camera, but Song Hyun-soo’s mouth felt parched. Unconsciously, he clenched his fists and clasped them tightly as if in prayer. Before the shoot, Yoon Joo-ho’s gaze, as he received a final touch-up to his hair from the stylist, lingered on Song Hyun-soo for a moment.
Was it his imagination? Yoon Joo-ho seemed to smile faintly. Don’t worry.
As the stylist’s hands moved away, Yoon Joo-ho placed his hands on his hips and spoke to the director behind the camera.
“Shall we start?”
“Yes, you can begin whenever you’re comfortable.”