After Story 225

And that was when I first saw you, Youngsun said as he picked up the can.

He thought he had some beer left, but it was an empty can.

When he looked for more to drink, Maru handed him a canned beer.

You saw me during my audition? Why dont I remember? Maru asked.

I just saw you talking to the director inside the room while I was pa.s.sing by. Of course you didnt see me. And to tell you the truth, my first impression of you wasnt that great.

I was so bad that just a glimpse of me left you a bad impression? Maru ripped some dried squid.

It was an inferiority complex. Everyone was tense waiting for the audition, so what would they think if they saw an actor on close terms with the director? Oh! I dont have any connections so I wont make it this time either! That actor is going to get cast because of his or her good connections.

Youngsun, this guy. Hes actually quite petty despite his looks, Sungmin said with a laugh.

Yes, I was quite petty back then. But dont you all have a similar experience? Joonhyuk, what about you?

Joonhyuk spoke as he picked up a squid leg,

Who doesnt? There have been plenty of times when Ive thought that someone was worse than me but was doing better just because he belonged to a good agency. I thought many times that I wouldve done several times better.

He smiled bitterly before sighing.

Of course, that was when I just started working as an actor. I know that the world isnt so easy. I learned that the reason I didnt get the role is that I was insufficient and that there is no guarantee that I would be able to do better even if I was playing that role. Once you start blaming someone, theres no end to it. It leaves a bad aftertaste too.

Once you start looking for reasons apart from yourself, you cant even quit easily, Sungmin said.

Youngsun took a couple sips before looking at Maru.

Anyway, I really didnt like you back then, but now I know that youre a man of great character.

Feeding people is the best way to get to a persons heart alright. I hear so many pleasant things just because I buy you food, Maru said as he picked up an almond.

Youngsun opened his mouth wide. The almond that Maru tossed went right into his mouth.

The shoot is hard, but were having an easier time thanks to you, Sungmin said.

Maru waved his hand in denial.

I didnt do anything much.

Of course you did a lot of things. The production staff doesnt say things to us because they know that youre looking out for us. Had it been anywhere else, an NG from a minor actor would turn the atmosphere stiff.

Thats thanks to director Kwon. You know he looks out for the action actors a lot. Director Nam looks out for the production staff as well.

Thats true, but from what I see, you play a bigger role.

Youngsun nodded. At the shoot, Maru was like salt. The shooting team, the production team, the lighting team, the arts team he was close to everyone. Whenever a problem occurred and people started raising their voices, Maru appeared without fail. He had never seen a mediator more perfect than him before.

Not only that, but Hong Geunsoo would also show up as well whenever Maru made a move. With the support of someone who can basically go head-to-head with the director, most troublesome matters were resolved in no time.

The first thing that was improved was the waiting place for the extras. They originally had to wait under the sun due to ease of control, but thanks to Geunsoo and Maru speaking out, they were moved to the shade. That alone stopped the background actors from frowning during the shoot.

How much do you want from me to keep praising me like that? My wallet is pretty tight these days, you know?

Really? Then Ill stop!

Everyone laughed at Sungmins words.

But it really is curious whenever we meet up like this. Honestly, I thought Id never get to talk to the main actors at the shoot, Youngsun said.

Thats because Maru-hyung is special. The other actors are all in the hotel right now.

Joonhyuk raised his thumb. Maru shrugged.

Im also going to go to the hotel to sleep comfortably once Im done drinking here.

Dont say that and sleep here like shrimps with us.

I like comfy beds.

Youre so ruthless, turning down this little brothers request.

They talked about the lunchbox that they had for dinner. Most of it was about how the side dishes were lacking and them theorizing if someone had taken some of the money midway.

How was the shoot today? Maru said as he put down the gla.s.s. Youngsun also put down his gla.s.s.

Wherever Maru talked about the shoot, everyone focused. Even the relaxed atmosphere would contain a hint of tension.

I think the sync was not as good when we were shooting the last scene, Joonhyuk spoke first.

I felt that too. Youre talking about when we were up against the Gaya people, right?

Yes. I think people are running out of stamina. The past few days have been hot even at night.

Maybe its because of that.

I feel like my body cant keep up even though I want to increase the pace.

Maru, the director didnt say anything much when he said okay, did he?

Joonhyuk, Sungmin, and Maru exchanged opinions. Youngsun also joined in the middle and said what he felt. The others did the same.

Ever since the shoot began, they had a session like this nearly every day. They would sometimes realize what they didnt know if they exchanged their experiences and thus would be able to fix their mistakes.

The sync between team members was more important than an individuals acting skills, so they needed some time to talk, and thanks to their drinking sessions, that was resolved naturally.

Thinking about it now, even this occasion was created thanks to Marus suggestion.

Youngsun looked at Maru talking about acting with a serious expression. He didnt look like he was here to teach or preach, just that he wanted to make up for each others insufficiencies.

What a great fortune was it that he managed to meet this person? Youngsun thought as he listened to Marus words.

* * *

Go back inside. Ill get going as well.

Watch out on your way back!

It became noisy in front of the building. He looked, wondering what was happening. Han Maru and some minor actors were saying goodbye to each other. This wasnt the first or second time it happened, so there was nothing surprising about that.

I think theyre meeting up practically every single day.

The Red Tiger Troops get their own meetings. Dont we get anything?

Im envious. Actor Han will pay for all their drinks, wouldnt he? I wish I was in team 4 too.

Gyungho looked at his teammate who spoke. Everyone was envious, but they were forgetting the important thing. Why was actor Han Maru keeping a good relations.h.i.+p with the minor actors? He had to find the answer to this question.

It seems like Han Maru has a good character. He looks out for a lot of people.

It just shows his nature. From how hes not boasting just because he rose to stardom while young, he is just destined to do well, his team members said.

Gyungho looked at Han Maru walking away and spoke,

You think hes doing that because he has a good nature?

What do you mean?

I mean, think about it. How many actors look out for minor actors like that in the movie scene? Hes a young actor who must have his hands full looking out for himself.

Im saying that he has a good character for helping others even in his situation.

No, no. The fact that he seems like a good person is a result. Whats important is the process.

What do you mean?

Im saying that we cant tell for sure whether hes splitting his time meeting insignificant actors because hes kind or because he wants everyone to see him as a kind person. The result of both of them is that hes kind, but the nature of it is very different.

Whether hes pretentious or genuine, what matters is that he is looking out for minor actors. What does his thoughts have anything to do with it? Whats important is what we can see. I mean, even pretentiously, itd be better if he treats us well.

Gyungho nodded. Youre right. Im not insulting him for being a hypocrite. I just thought that I could benefit as well.

Benefit? How?

Just wait a little. If what Im thinking is right, we might get something out of this too.

Dont do it by yourself and let us in too. What do you mean by that?

I told you to wait. If things go well, Ill suck out the sweet juice from him and give everyone a share.

Gyungho spoke to the team member that tilted his head in confusion,

Do you know what Nice Guy Syndrome is?

Whats that?

Youve probably come across some of them in your life. Someone who helps others even at the cost of their own possessions. We sometimes call them gullible, but apparently, its not because theyre idiots that are helping others out and acting kind. They enjoy people praising them. And they get uneasy if they dont get that treatment.

There was a guy like that when I went to school. Whenever there was something bothersome, people would go to him. Then he would smile and listen to all of them. I once asked him because I was curious: Are you being bullied? Why cant you refuse? Then he told me that it wasnt anything much and that it was a good thing that he could help them out and make them happy.

Gyungho clapped and pointed at the person that just spoke.

Thats exactly it. Theyre bound by the stereotype that they have to be kind. They have to refuse what they dont want to do, but they cant because theyre afraid that the image they have in the minds of others would shatter.

He lowered his voice a little.

Now think again. How is Han Maru acting? Dont you think hes being uselessly kind? Look at how he treats team 4.

Really? Im not really sure. Isnt he helping them out because hes working with them?

Thats possible, but I feel like hes managing his image.

I get what youre saying. So you want to ask actor Han a favor?

Yes. We ask him something trivial to benefit, and Han Maru gains satisfaction from his ego.

Theres nothing to lose. Should we ask him to buy us drinks? said someone from the team with a smile.

The next day.

He was resting after his morning shoot, looking around for someone. He found the person he was looking for.

Mr. Maru.

Gyungho smiled and approached Han Maru. He may not know his name, but he should know his face as they had clashed multiple times.

Yes.

You know me, right? Im from team 1 and I get beaten up by you all the time.

I do. You were really good at acting.

So you remember me. Have you had lunch? he asked while looking at Marus empty hand.

No, I was just about to.

Are you going with the director and the other actors?

They told me theres a good sas.h.i.+mi cold noodles restaurant nearby.

Thats a pity. I wanted to talk to you over some food if you had some time.

Talk?

Nothing much. I just wanted to ask a few things. You hang around with the members of team 4 a lot, dont you? Im envious, seeing actors around the same age being so close.

Maru did not say anything.

Was his estimation wrong? just as he thought so,

Theres nothing to be envious about. We just meet up and talk about acting or trivial stuff.

Thats what Im envious about.

Gyungho took a glance at Maru. A moment of silence later, Maru spoke,

Then lets have lunch together today. I also like hanging around actors around the same age.

Good, he fell for it Gyungho smiled brightly before speaking,

Then lets go over to where my team is.