After Story 142

Five years. Ive been working on this for five years. I didnt write it up in a few months and stuffed it in my drawer for the rest; I really edited and edited it again for the whole five years. I didnt write a single scene or a single line with ease. I even looked for suitable locations to shoot myself. Theres not a single spot that I did not touch in the groundwork of the film.

Director Lim let out a heavy sigh. He was quite drunk.

Maru poured some cold water and put it in front of the director. Meanwhile, Kim Hyuk put away the bottles and Beomseok ordered some spicy jjigae.

Just one. If theres one thing thats not going according to my will, its Jung Gayoung.

Director Lim took a spoonful of the boiling budae-jjigae and continued.

Hyuk, Beomseok, Maru, not to mention the three of you here, I am the one who picked Choi Jahye, Kang Gwonseok, Oh Jiyoon, Ahn Dabin, Kang Jinsoo, and Baek Yoonmi all of them with my own hands. I have absolutely no complaints about them, you know? You can see that, right? I might shout a little, but Ive never picked a fight with you.

Yes, I can, Beomseok said.

But Jung Gayoung isnt like that. Im not the one who picked her.

Still, Gayoungs doing well. And shes hardworking too, Kim Hyuk brought that up.

Director Lim chuckled.

Sure, shes doing good. The production company isnt a group of idiots who would recommend someone who has no skill at all. But a film is a puzzle. There was no Jung Gayoung in the frame that I had designed. So what if shes good? This is my movie, and she does not belong here. Also, you guys saw how she acted right? She kept picking a fight with every little thing I said. I mean, just look at today. Jung Gayoung cut off the scene where the three of you ad-libbed smoothly. Skill? Yeah, she has the skill, but she doesnt have the wits. Shes not suited to be here.

Im sure Gayoungs trying her best to mix in, Beomseok said as he looked into director Lims eyes.

Maru also looked at the changes in the directors expression.

While this may look like a harmonious drinking occasion, the three men were all walking on a tightrope. Director Lim would sometimes explode like a bomb without a fuse even when he seemingly looked calm.

They had to refrain from using any words that might spark him and observe him to their utmost best.

Im sure shes trying her best. Not her best to do well in acting, but to win against me. Just like how you have your own network of actors, we directors have our own community as well. Do you know how shes known among us? Everyone says shes a sneaky fox who might look docile on the outside but is actually cunning on the inside. But shes got the wrong man this time. You know who I am, right? I dont lose. I was originally from a pack of wild dogs who fought dirty. It looks like all shes faced were rather docile directors until now, but shes met her match this time.

Beomseok brought away director Lim after the drinking session.

This is rather awkward, Kim Hyuk said.

I cant picture the director reaching his hand out first.

It was a battle of pride between the director and the actress. Director Lim would never compromise. Meaning, Jung Gayoung was the only one who could bring peace to the shoot.

But that doesnt mean that Gayoung would obediently make up with the director.

Thats the problem. But dont you think theres a higher possibility for Gayoung-noona to be the one reconciling?

Im not sure. Both of them arent ordinary.

But we cant just leave this as it is. Other people are starting to take hints.

Well have to talk to Gayoung about it.

Maru started walking.

Noona said that we actors should help each other out, didnt she? What are you going to do if both of them decide to be stubborn until the end?

Me? Ill have to mediate between the two. Theres nothing more terrible than causing a fight at the shoot. What will you do?

Ill see how things go and stick to one side, Maru said with a smile.

The next day, the young actors gathered together during lunch. Other than those who had a schedule, they ate at a sus.h.i.+ restaurant and conversed.

If I did something gravely wrong, I would apologize and try to get along, but the director just hates me. Its weird for me to just smile at him when he hates me too. Im just going to do my own work, Gayoung said.

The actors sitting next to her sympathized with her.

But at this rate, I think theres going to be a cold war. Dont you think itll be better to yield just once, Beomseok said.

Hearing the contrasting opinions, the actors started talking about it. They were split into a group of people who said that it was absurd for Gayoung to yield and a group who said she should yield for the sake of the shoot.

Lets stop talking about this. Youre putting me in an awkward spot, Gayoung started to mediate.

While their words decreased, their conflict seemed to have gotten deeper. The director used some harsh words. It wouldnt be strange if some of them were hurt by him.

Even now, there were three actors who said they would console and help Gayoung.

Maru drank some water as he looked around. There were signs that this was going to escalate from an individual problem between the director and Gayoung to a problem of the whole group. Whether Gayoung wanted it or not, the atmosphere at the set would be a lot stricter than before.

That was not something he wanted. This was his first work where he played a supporting character. He couldnt afford to have the work ruined because of a petty war between the production crew and the actors.

This was no time to just observe. He had to block the leak while it was still small. If he kept watching, the crack might widen and burst.

After they finished eating and left the restaurant, he approached Gayoung.

Noona, can we have a talk?

About what?

Well, a lot of things. Ill buy the coffee.

Gayoung smiled and replied yes. The two of them entered a non-franchise caf that didnt have a lot of people in it. The owner tilted his head while looking at Gayoung. He seemed to know her from somewhere.

After ordering the coffee, they sat down. A moment later, the owner appeared with the coffee.

Arent you Miss Jung Gayoung?

I am.

Ive heard from the students who come to our caf. You have a shoot around here, right? Your head is really small now that I see you in real life. Youre so pretty too.

You look like a splendid person too, owner.

Gayoung and the owner took a photo together. She even gave him her autograph.

You can just take the coffee, Ill give it to you for free. Oh, and this cake too.

Maru sliced the cake the owner left with a fork and put a piece in his mouth.

I was going to be the one buying, but I guess Im getting some from you.

Its not me, but the owner whos giving it to us for free.

You must have it good, being treated to food by so many people.

Its not always that good. People recognize me even if I want to stay quiet.

Its better than having no one recognize you like me.

Not really, I think? Try being in my shoes. This kind of lifestyle isnt all that good.

He turned the handle of the coffee to his side and spoke,

Do you really think so?

What do you mean?

I mean your popularity. Do you really think you want fewer people to recognize you?

Gayoung picked up the coffee mug and looked outside.

These days, I keep thinking about it. I want people to just let me be. Yet do you think thats easy? Wherever I go, people would sneak up to me and ask if Im an actress or if Im Jung Gayoung and then they will act like theyre all close to me.

And youre tired of that kind of life?

Should I say tired? Or should I say that Im annoyed?

Her eyes as she scanned the streets outside looked bored.

Maru sipped some of the coffee.

From what I see though, thats not true.

Why do you think that?

If you really were sick and tired of all those gazes, you wouldve quit working already or gone a period of rest. But youre working without resting, arent you?

Trying being in my shoes. Youll learn what it means to be dragged around against your will.

If you really couldnt help it, you wouldve stopped anyway. There arent many people who would keep marching forward when they can feel that theyre being ruined in real-time.

Gayoung stared right back at him.

Your words are ticking me off. Did I ever do something wrong to you? Or what is this? It sounds like youre picking a fight with me.

Im not picking a fight with you. I just want to know what kind of person you are.

And what are you going to do with that information?

Only with it will I be able to decide what to do. First, let me be honest. I really like this movie, from the character to the story. I cant guarantee success, but Im sure the critics should give pretty decent reviews. I rarely feel like this about a movie. You think so too, dont you?

Gayoung sealed her lips and leaned back against the backrest. Her eyes were telling him to go on.

Do you really not know why the director hates you?

Im no idiot. Do you think I really dont know? Leaving aside everything else, the fact that Im not the actress he wanted should be the biggest reason.

So you do know.

Thats what p.i.s.ses me off even more. I mean, Im not someone who joined this piece because I used underhanded methods, am I? I was rightfully scouted, and I checked the scenario and liked the character before deciding to join. I tried to do my best too. But it seems like thats not the same for director Lim. Gayoung chuckled in vain before straightening up her expression. But why do I have to talk about this with you? This is strange. Im blabbing because of the atmosphere.

Its proof that you wanted to talk about it with someone. Didnt you say that actors should side with other actors? Ill be on your side, so let me be blunt here. Im wis.h.i.+ng for the success of this movie. But the director is at odds with one of the main actresses. I dont like that.

He slightly rubbed his eyes as he spoke,

Hey, you have a different image from what I imagined.

Im not different. I just have this kind of side to me. Im sure you dont want the movie to flop either, noona.

Isnt that obvious? Where can you find an actor who wants a blemish in their career?

That means one of you two will have to reach out to reconcile.

Dont tell me to do it first. I tried my best in my own way. I laughed it off after what he said to me during the first get-together. I even held back until the second day of the shoot, but Ive now run out of patience. Actors are people too, right? We arent machines who just act for money, right?

Right. You arent wrong at all. Maru leaned forward. Thats why its even more important that you match him.

What do you mean?

You have to match yourself with the kind of actress that the director wants.

That sounds like even more of a humiliation than apologizing to him in private.

The director doesnt think that youre a bad actress. In fact, he thinks that youre good. Thats why hes even more rejective of you. If you were an awkward actress, you wouldve been buried under the mise en scne of the movie and disappeared. But the color of your acting is splendid. It stands out. The director doesnt like that.

Gayoung crossed her arms. Her eyes were scanning the table. She seemed to be pondering.

She must know as well, that she couldnt maintain a bad relations.h.i.+p with the director throughout the whole ordeal, as well as the fact that it would be her who would be ousted if they really took this to the end.

Maru thought about it after hearing what Gayoung said during lunch. Maybe she needed someone to give her a little push on the back. If she wanted to keep her pride even while meeting the directors expectations, she would need the excuse that the people around her asked her to do so and that she had no choice because of it.

Dont you think itll be interesting? You become the perfect actress that the director wants. The director will be flabbergasted because he has been telling you that you havent been good enough.

Well, thatd look funny for sure.

The director might be a stubborn general, but hes not an idiot. Hell change his att.i.tude if hes given the right opportunity. And youll become a benevolent, generous person.

Thats taking things a little too far.

Gayoung drank the iced coffee in front of her in one go.

Hey, youre going to go to the director too, arent you?

Ill see how things go.

You really are different from how you look. I thought youd be innocent and nave.

Im just good at noticing where other people feel itchy.

Gayoung stood up.

A junior with a promising future has given me a request like this, so I cant just snap out as a senior. Ill give your words a try.

Thats the answer I wanted.

Maru smiled at her.

You have a different image from the first impression you gave off. What were those tears you showed us yesterday?

Just like you, thats also a part of me. I actually cry a lot, and Im introverted. Thats why I sometimes wait for someone to side with me, and to provide me with an opportunity. Anyway, Ive been persuaded by you. You do something about the director. Ill be benevolent and generous and match his style for now.

Thats more than enough.

Gayoung, who was about to leave, stopped and spoke,

Youre quite good at acting, whether its in real life or at the shoot.

Its how I make money.

She smiled.

See you tomorrow.

Gayoung left while waving her hand. Maru let out a short sigh before drinking the rest of the coffee.