The staff at drama sets were usually more sensitive compared to movie production staff. This was because while broadcast times were rapidly approaching, often not only the footage but even the scripts weren’t ready yet.
Recently, standard labor contracts for staff were supposed to be implemented, but they were frequently ignored. Paying fines and tightening schedules was more profitable in the end.
“Control the people. If anyone complains, just say we have permission,” said the female FD with greasy hair tied tightly as she handed Park Hae-jun a fluorescent vest and walkie-talkie.
The filming location was a seaside bridge in South Jeolla Province. The bridge crossing the sea was a famous tourist spot, and they needed to film there during the day, night, and dawn.
The daytime scene was the first meeting between two characters. Park Hae-jun stood at the end of the bridge, sweating as he blocked tourists.
“Who are you to tell us whether we can pass or not?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Is being from a broadcasting station everything? I took a day off to come here. How are you going to compensate for this?”
“I’m sorry.”
“This is so annoying. Let us through!”
“I’m sorry, sir. Please lower your voice.”
Park Hae-jun’s job was to be a human shield. He became an “I’m sorry” bot, bowing countless times. After 30 minutes, people started raising their voices. The PD in charge looked back, and the FD rolled her eyes at Park Hae-jun, meaning he should do his job properly.
The female lead dropped ice cream on the male lead’s clothes. When the surprised female lead apologized, the actor playing the male lead smiled and accepted her apology.
Though it was still winter, the drama was set in spring. Both wore thin spring clothes. The female lead was even wearing a flowy dress. Despite the sea breeze making it cold even with padding jackets, neither showed any sign of being cold.
“Damn, it’s freezing,” a middle-aged man in hiking clothes grumbled loudly.
“I’m sorry. But we’re filming with permission, so please understand for just a little while.”
At the mention of permission, the man backed off. Park Hae-jun bowed deeply.
“Permission? We didn’t get any.”
The nine-hour marathon finally ended. Moving, controlling, filming. Then driving to another location, controlling, filming—this cycle repeated several times before shooting wrapped. The FD in charge of Park Hae-jun responded indifferently as they loaded equipment into the van.
“What? But you clearly told me to say we had permission.”
“Well, we got permission for one of today’s locations. Not the others.”
“Is that allowed?”
“Of course not.”
“……”
“Technically, we should apply and get approval from the administrative agency, but who has time for that? We just got the script the day before yesterday.”
Park Hae-jun felt deflated after spending all day parroting that they had official permission and telling complainers to take it up with the district office.
“For that, you need to submit the scenario at least five days in advance for inspection. But the script came out just two days ago, right? It’s impossible. If we followed all the rules, we couldn’t make dramas in this country. It doesn’t take long anyway, so we just shoot quickly for an hour or two and leave. Besides, the permit only covers filming, not occupying the road—that’s actually illegal.”
The female FD with her tightly tied greasy hair smirked.
“You did a good job. I asked Min-gyu to send someone capable, and you fit the bill.”
Her name was Jin A-reum, and she was senior to Senior Jo.
Since she was senior to Jo, she was Park Hae-jun’s senior too, and upon hearing this, Jin A-reum dragged Park Hae-jun out for drinks as soon as the dawn filming ended.
“I heard about Professor Seok through the grapevine. It must have been a huge deal. So you were the one who caused that incident? You know you’re finished if you can’t beat Professor Seok, right?”
Jin A-reum was confident and direct. After asking why Park Hae-jun took a leave of absence, she said this when Professor Seok was mentioned.
“I actually hate Professor Seok. No, it’s beyond dislike—I hate him enough to want to bury him in this industry.”
“Why?”
Park Hae-jun was a bit surprised that Jin A-reum, who hadn’t been directly harmed, hated Professor Seok so much.
“My friend was a victim too.”
“……”
“Stealing students’ ideas, plagiarizing scripts written by students and publishing them under his own name. Do you think Professor Seok only did this to you?”
Park Hae-jun sighed softly. He hadn’t considered that before.
“My friend also had her work stolen by Professor Seok. She confronted him too. Although she lacked the courage to stage a protest like you did, she fought back.”
“What happened to her?” Park Hae-jun asked urgently.
Jin A-reum silently poured beer. Her face turned bitter. “She dropped out. Professor Seok bullied her terribly.”
“……”
“It’s shocking how a professor, a man nearly fifty, could torment a twenty-two-year-old girl to such an extent.”
“……”
“My friend was kind but weak. She gave up the fight and dropped out. She briefly worked in film after that, but Professor Seok blocked her there too.”
“And now, your friend is…”
“Still at home. Taking psychiatric medication.”
The atmosphere grew solemn. Jin A-reum gulped her beer. “Would you meet her sometime? Actually, since I heard there was someone who stood up to Professor Seok, I’ve wanted to introduce you to my friend.”
“Would meeting me help?”
“I just want to show her she’s not the only one who fought against Professor Seok. I want to give my friend even a little courage. Can you do that?” she asked.
Although Park Hae-jun wasn’t sure if he could help, he nodded. Meeting another victim of Professor Seok would be valuable for him too.
“There are rumors that when that man was a competition judge, he deliberately failed screenplays by talented young writers and then used them to make his own films. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were many more victims besides you and my friend.”
Jin A-reum clinked her glass against Park Hae-jun’s.
“Hang in there, junior. You’re not alone. Make sure that bastard gets what he deserves.”
“I’ll do my best, senior.”
“Don’t call me senior. Call me noona.” Jin A-reum smiled.
There was someone else who believed in him. Park Hae-jun felt comforted by this.
That night, Park Hae-jun only got two hours of sleep after drinking with Jin A-reum. Although another grueling day was scheduled, he had no regrets. In the early hours of that morning, Park Hae-jun and Jin A-reum became close friends despite their age difference.
∞ ∞ ∞
The house was a complete mess after just one day.
Park Hae-jun stood frozen with his mouth open. “Mess” wasn’t enough to describe it. It looked like a war had broken out.
Everything in sight was shattered. The TV was smashed to pieces, and the refrigerator was destroyed. Broken dishes were piled at his feet, and the microwave and oven had been thrown and were lying around.
Broken table, broken chairs. Even the living room sofa was torn apart. It looked as if someone had lifted the sofa with tremendous strength, then ripped it apart and thrown it. But that was physically impossible. Nobody in this world had such ability.
Park Hae-jun looked around. This was a building with tight security. The only person who could have done this was Lee A-gon. But why would Lee A-gon do such a thing? Was it a burglar after all? But the traces seemed more like someone venting their anger.
He considered calling the police, but the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like Lee A-gon’s doing. Park Hae-jun decided to wait for Lee A-gon first. It was four in the afternoon. Lee A-gon usually came home around five, so he could meet him soon.
The sky outside darkened quickly as if it was about to rain. When he flipped the switch, the lights didn’t come on. Park Hae-jun tried clicking it a few more times before giving up. For some reason, the power seemed to be out.
Even a nice place like this loses power?
Park Hae-jun went up to the second floor. Fortunately, the second floor looked exactly the same as when he left. Only the lights weren’t working. After trying all the switches in the room, Park Hae-jun withdrew his hand in disappointment. He thought he should buy rechargeable mood lights for the future.
Having confirmed there was an electrical problem, Park Hae-jun found candles and a lighter. Fortunately, he had a habit of keeping candles ready for power outages anywhere, so he could find them easily.
He was extremely tired from barely sleeping the previous night.
I’ll sleep and when I wake up, Lee A-gon will be here. Then I can ask him what happened.
With that thought, Park Hae-jun closed his eyes.
What woke him was a thud that shook the floor. The vibration was strong enough to reach the second floor.
Blinking in the darkness, Park Hae-jun reached for the candle first. As soon as he flicked the lighter, a small light illuminated his surroundings, and Park Hae-jun let out a sigh of relief.
The sound of rain could be heard from outside. The cloudy day had finally brought rain. Momentarily captivated by the sound, Park Hae-jun got up with the candle when he felt another thud.
Standing at the second-floor landing and looking down, Park Hae-jun saw the back of a man striking something in the darkness. He was punching the half-destroyed sofa.
“Lee A-gon?”
When he called the name, the man turned around sharply. Park Hae-jun stared at the man with a slightly dazed look. It was indeed Lee A-gon. It was definitely Lee A-gon, but he somehow looked different.
“What are you doing there?”
“……”
“Did you do all this?”
“……”
“Was it really you?”
“……”
“Why did you do it?”
“……”
“Hey, answer me.”
No matter what he asked, Lee A-gon didn’t respond. He just stood in a corner of the darkness, looking up at Park Hae-jun in suffocating silence, then suddenly moved toward him.
Park Hae-jun was truly startled. Lee A-gon moved so quickly it was as if the middle frames of his movement had been deleted. To Park Hae-jun, it seemed like Lee A-gon had climbed the second-floor stairs in almost a single breath. Though that wasn’t possible.