Chapter 131:
"Yes, I understand, Director. I'll keep in mind what you've said and act accordingly."
"Yes. If you find anything challenging while acting, let me know."
"Got it! Thank you for the guidance."
"Yes."
Throughout the shoot, Yeo Jaeyoon had rarely called me separately for acting guidance. Usually, we reviewed and improved scenes by watching the footage, but today, there were specific instructions.
Somehow, it feels particularly perplexing today. Maybe it's because it's the climax of the shoot?'
On top of that, Yeo Jaeyoon's gaze towards me was unusually fierce.
It might be just my mood, I thought, putting aside trivial thoughts and focusing on the script with sticky notes.
[After a meeting with the chairman, the scammer goes to break up with Moon Hyemin to sort out his feelings. The scammer still had lingering feelings for her. However, realizing that continuing to see her might lead to an irreversible mistake, the scammer decided to completely end things with Moon Hyemin.
But when the scammer sees Moon Hyemin looking at him, he can't bring himself to break up harshly. Instead, he confesses even more. Without waiting for Moon Hyemin's response to his confession, the scammer goes to negotiate with the client, the chairman.]
As I was about to read further, I heard murmurs not far away.
"Hmm?"
Turning my head, I saw Yeo Hyemin and Go Seoyeong talking in a serious tone.
In the uneasy atmosphere, I eventually couldn't focus on the script and approached the two.
"Hello, Assistant Manager. I heard the manager would come to the set, but here you are. Why are you two having such a serious conversation?"
"!"
"!"
In response to my words, Yeo Hyemin and Go Seoyeong were startled and looked at me.
I thought I spoke quite gently Did I surprise them? I apologized with a self-conscious smile.
"Haha I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh, no. We were just Uh, we heard that the director and the actor were talking, so I was asking Yeo Hyemin if everything was going well. Right?"
At Go Seoyeong's words, Yeo Hyemin nodded vigorously.
"Oh, yes. That's right. Can I help you with anything specific? Do I need to give an interview or comment separately?"
"Huh? Oh, no. If I need anything, I'll ask you later. I'll leave now. Busy with official duties."
Go Seoyeong got up from her seat and quickly distanced herself from me as if fleeing.
What's this?'
Wondering what was happening, I looked at Yeo Hyemin. She was tearing off a few pages from her notebook and putting them in her pocket. Though she behaved as if hiding something from me, I didn't ask. If she intended to tell me, she wouldn't have hidden it in the first place.
Can't help it.
As I sat beside her and opened the script, Yeo Hyemin did the same. Just like my script, hers was filled with sticky notes.
"Oh, come to think of it, today is Yeo Hyemin's first line."
Yeo Hyemin, who had been quietly listening to me, showed me something written in the blank space at the end of the script.
Yes, I'm confident in today's performance. Really.
Yeo Hyemin, who rarely expressed her emotions openly, made me smile involuntarily at her enthusiastic attitude before the shoot.
"Actor Kang Jinseok, Actress Yeo Hyemin! Please stand by!"
***
It was quiet here even when I visited before. There's always a serene atmosphere.'
Today's filming location is in front of Director Yeo Jaeyoon's house in Seongbuk-dong.
Perhaps because it's an ambiguous time of 7:30 PM or due to the neighborhood ambiance, there were hardly any citizens gathered for the outdoor shoot.
Instead, a few people from balconies and rooftops of houses were observing the filming site with courtesy.
Whether they noticed me looking at them or not, some residents waved. I nodded lightly in response.
Well then, I'll go in and get ready.
Yeo Hyemin said as she entered the gate. After nodding lightly, I relaxed my facial muscles.
"Poo-!"
As I exhaled loudly from my puffed-up cheeks, a faint mist appeared.
During the early shoots, it was so cold that breath could be seen distinctly, but now, at the end of February, it wasn't as chilly even after the sun had set.
Observing the dispersing mist, I thought to myself.
Today's scene is crucial. Let's do well.'
That's when I made a pledge to myself.
"Action!"
With Director Yeo Jaeyoon's cue, the perspective changed.
***
A residential area with a similar feeling to where I was just a while ago. In front of Yeo Hyemin's house, Kim Faith took deep breaths, repeatedly inhaling and exhaling.
But no matter how much he breathed deeply, his heart didn't easily calm down.
Kim Faith thought about Yeo Hyemin.
If I tell that girl it's time to stop seeing each other, the mission will fail. But I can't help it. If I continue like this, the problem will only get bigger.'
Until now, living as a scammer, I had pulled off many cons. Not all of them were successful, but abandoning one midway like this was a first. Failing so miserably was also a first.
It didn't feel good. Literally, it was unsettling.' The feeling was different from the usual unease of not receiving the promised compensation.
What was bothering me now was solely my own feelings towards Yeo Hyemin. I didn't want to admit it, but Kim Faith had fallen for Yeo Hyemin.
Ridiculous.'
What makes the best scammer? Someone who can't even control their own heart.
Kim Faith hesitated for a moment, not pressing the doorbell.
Maybe I'll just disappear without saying anything.'
That could be one way. At least, it might get him out of this ridiculous situation.
*Sigh*
If he did that, Hyemin's heart, which had barely started to open, would forever close. He couldn't bring himself to do such a thing. Even though breaking up would hurt Hyemin, this strong woman would grow even more after parting ways. And that pain would eventually heal by meeting someone far better than himself.
He gathered his breath from below his belly button and exhaled. Dew formed on the chilled door due to the slightly chilly weather.
He pressed the doorbell as if determined. To conclude the already failed scam.
*Ding-dong.*
Not long after, the voice of an unfamiliar middle-aged woman was heard. Probably a housemaid that Hyemin had mentioned before, known for cooking delicious bulgogi.
"Who is it?"
"Uh, I'm Kim Faith. I'm a friend of Hyemin. I have something to tell her for a moment."
"At this hour? Did you make an appointment?"
"I didn't make a separate appointment."
"I'm sorry. The elderly lady is about to cook a food. Please come back after making an appointment, sir!"
While the housemaid was saying that it couldn't be done, or perhaps as Hyemin appeared, a surprised voice of the housemaid was heard.
Kim Faith resigned, ready to turn around. Yet, out of curiosity, he waited silently.
"Miss, are you going out like that?! Wait! Put this on before you go!"
"Hey! What are you doing? Quickly, take this and follow me!"
The desperate voice of the housemaid echoed through the intercom. In the end, it seemed Hyemin was determined to come out despite the opposition around her.
Not long after, the awaited sound was heard.
*Creak!*
The heavy door opened, and Hyemin came out. She was wearing a shower gown inside and a thick padded coat outside.
Her cheeks seemed to be reddened, maybe from running, and her breath was heavy. Her hair was still moist as if she had hastily dried it.
When Kim Faith looked at her with surprise, she handed him a note.
"What's going on?"
"If my dad finds out, it'll be chaos!"
It wasn't the usual neat handwriting. The surprise at my sudden visit was evident in Hyemin's expression.
Kim Faith pretended not to notice Hyemin's reaction and met her eyes.
Despite her initial confusion, Hyemin's mouth curled into a smile, seeming pleased with his unexpected visit.
Beautiful. No, really beautiful. Thinking that today might be the last, it's hard to take my eyes off her face. If possible, I want to engrave that face in my memory for a long time, so I can recall it anytime, anywhere.
As if embarrassed by the intense gaze, Hyemin shyly avoided eye contact, smiling subtly.
Only then did Kim Faith regain his composure and took out a thick album from the shopping bag, handing it to Hyemin.
"This I came to deliver this."
Kim Faith's unusual attitude and the sudden gift intrigued Hyemin. She opened the album with confusion.
The album was meticulously organized with photos they had taken together until now.
Originally, this album was supposed to be Kim Faith's data' to analyze and record his dates with Hyemin. However, in the process, it had turned into a memory.'
Handing this album to Hyemin was initially to sever ties with her, but perhaps that wasn't the only reason.
Now, striving to cut off the relationship with her tongue like a sharp dagger, though strained, it didn't come out easily.
While the words circling in his mouth were more about Kim Faith's feelings than Hyemin, a cheerful voice from somewhere interrupted.
"Hehe"
Hyemin, unaware of Kim Faith's feelings, looked at the album with a happy face, enjoying it for some unknown reason. Her childlike innocent expression was too lovely.
Oh, I can't do this. I just can't.
Having seen that face, Kim Faith couldn't bring himself to say goodbye.
And as if possessed by something, he muttered. It was the opposite of his intention.
But it was something he had to say.
***
The scene where the scammer confesses to Moon Hyemin.
This scene was eagerly awaited by all the staff of "Absolute Unlicensed Counseling."
The reason was
How will Actress Yeo Hyemin's voice sound?'
That curiosity drove everyone mad.
Some staff members heard Hyemin's voice in the reading room, but most of them didn't. Moreover, since she was usually quiet, their curiosity only grew over time.
Because of that, those staff members who hadn't heard her voice eagerly awaited this day.
"This album I made it intending to give it as a gift when we officially started dating. Now, I want to create it together from now on."
""
"From the moment I fell for you at first sight, I wanted to say this. Will you help me create this album together?"
Yeo Hyemin opened her eyes wide and looked at Jinseok. In her gaze, various emotions were mixed, but more than anything, the emotion of joy was vividly expressed.
"Sure"
However, at that moment.
"NG!"
Director Yeo Jaeyoon threw off his headset, shouting NG' vigorously.
TN: NG means No Good/Not Good