Chapter 44: The Best Death

Lee Taekyeong checked the set and the atmosphere on set throughout the shoot. It had been a long time since he’d returned, so he had to revive all his senses with his eyes and hands.

‘It’s dulled.’

But the problem was his sense of catching the director’s intentions. The knowledge he had acquired remained in his head, but he couldn’t understand the lighting techniques that Director Jin Gyeongmun had requested.

It was probably his own problem for having been away for so long.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, Director. Is it correct to use a scoop (a light that reflects light widely) for this part? It’s a mob scene, so we don’t necessarily need to do it, right?”

“Over there. But since the perspective is Jaeni looking from the factory rooftop, I’d like to have some lens reflection. Like when Jangsu was sitting in front of the ice cream shop in Hormone Parasite.”

“Oh, I see what you mean.”

The good thing was that the conversation with Jin Gyeongmun wasn’t completely blocked. Lee Taekyeong sighed heavily, looking burdened, as he stroked his thick beard. Seeing this, Jin Gyeongmun patted his shoulder.

“It’s because it’s been so long since you’ve been here. Director, I’m not worried at all! We had good chemistry, remember?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Take a look around the set today, and let’s have a drink of soju when we’re done. You need alcohol when reading a storyboard. That’s how it flows smoothly. It’s because the sun is too bright right now. Haha.”

Jin Gyeongmun laughed exaggeratedly, as if trying to ease the tension. The assistant director knocked on the temporary office door and called him.

“Director, the shoot is ready.”

“Oh? Is it? Okay! Let’s go!”

“Director, then I’ll just…….”

“Yes, yes. Do that. Let’s officially say hello when the shoot is over. Did you see Hyojung earlier?”

Lee Taekyeong nodded silently. Jin Gyeongmun waved his hand casually, meaning he should do as he pleased, and left.

Alone in the office, Lee Taekyeong opened the beginning of the storyboard again, even though he had already looked at it several times at home.

Chak-

It had been five years since he returned. In a place that changed rapidly, day after day, would he be able to work like he used to? He left because of money, and now he was back because of money.

“I don’t know what to make of it.”

Of all the many lighting directors, he didn’t know why Jin Gyeongmun had chosen him. There must have been a reason, but he had only received the answer, “I just thought of you.”

For hours like that, Lee Taekyeong sat still and memorised the storyboard. But—

‘Scene 69…….’

Strangely, one scene caught his eye. It was the scene where Louis, Jaeni’s only ally and friend, was beaten to death, by Jin’s gang, no less.

“Hmm.”

He was an unknown rookie actor, so who could he be?

Jin Gyeongmun’s storyboard only had editing instructions to fade out and darken the scene gradually. There were no special lighting instructions.

Daeng- Ttaeng!

“No, does it look like it doesn’t hurt right now?”

“Oh, come on. Bear with it a little, Uncle!”

Then, from outside, came a commotion. It sounded like something had happened, and the raw voices, not acting tones, seemed to pierce the set.

Kkeek.

Out of curiosity, Lee Taekyeong left the office. All the staff looked troubled, and on the set, a child and an adult were baring their teeth.

“What’s going on?”

“I guess their chemistry isn’t quite right.”

Oh ho. That’s Yoo Yuna and Lee Hijun. They both look much better in person. As he passed the familiar pair and looked at the man next to them—

Thud.

He thought his heart had dropped. He looked very similar to the Louis he had imagined. The way he smiled slightly at Hijun and Yuna was exactly like Louis in the script.

“Director?”

“Uh, what’s the name of the actor playing Louis again?”

“Muyoung? It’s Ha Muyoung.”

This casting is amazing. I wonder where and how they met. Lee Taekyeong couldn’t take his eyes off him.

When the imagined character appeared in reality, a video that he had never dared to imagine appeared in his mind.

“Wait, wait! Stop doing that and just follow the chemistry. Follow it.”

Slowly, like something submerged under water was rising to the surface. But very surely. Lee Taekyeong was able to create a vivid storyboard by substituting Muyoung into every scene he had seen in the script.

“Augh. Really, what’s wrong with those two?”

Jin Gyeongmun’s voice was exhausted.

He had declared a short break and was fleeing to the office when he spotted Lee Taekyeong.

“What are you doing here?”

“Uh, Director.”

And especially, one scene that he imagined very clearly.

“Scene 69. I have a suggestion.”

“Scene 69? Oh, yes. That’s probably the scene where Louis dies, right?”

Jin Gyeongmun tilted his head in confusion. Why were his eyes suddenly sparkling like that? Just a moment ago, he had been looking completely dejected and sickly.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“In that scene, can we not shoot an eye light?”

“Eye light?”

Muyoung looked up at him and asked.

A small, pen-shaped light, the eye light. As the name suggests, it’s a light that emphasises the subject’s eyes and makes them shine.

“But since it’s a scene where he’s beaten to death, there won’t be time to shoot the light, right?”

Muyoung answered in confusion and checked the script again.

The original direction was for Jin’s gang to be caught on camera stomping on him, and then the gang disappearing, leaving him sprawled on the ground.

“We decided to shoot the angle in reverse, focusing on Louis.”

“Huh? Why?”

Of course, it’s good to centre the shot on himself. But that’s good, this is a movie, not a drama or a variety show.

Every scene required a perfectly calculated chemistry. If the angle was suddenly changed, there had to be a reason for it.

“It’s an event that has a big impact on Jaeni, so it’s better to capture it clearly rather than out of focus. And especially to express Louis’s sorrow as he’s dying, it’s better to focus on his eyes, his face.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Director Jin Gyeongmun will rework the detailed storyboard and let you know. Muyoung, you just need to act well.”

He seemed to be speaking calmly, but Lee Taekyeong was slightly excited. It had been a long time since he had felt inspiration.

Since he was so quick-witted, Jin Gyeongmun also understood perfectly and gave a positive reaction.

-That’s a good idea. I’ll discuss it with the directing team and make some changes. But that’s a good idea!

The way he kept nodding in response felt good. Muyoung wrote comments on the script with a pen and said,

“But Director, speak casually.”

“……Anyway, I’m counting on you.”

“Yes! Me too!”

“Yuna, I’m counting on you too-”

After exchanging brief greetings with the actors, Lee Taekyeong returned to the office.

He came like the wind and disappeared like the wind. Muyoung watched his back and crunched his pen.

‘Was it the director who brought this on?’

When he thought about it, everything fit together perfectly.

Because of the lighting incident, the director was replaced, and the new director was wearing another sparkle. It was as if everything had been done for that person.

“Oppa, what’s wrong?”

“Huh? No. I was just thinking about how to handle the changes.”

“Okay, then let’s go back and check the schedule first.”

The assistant director slapped his palm on the script to focus his attention. The factory set was completed, so now the real intense shooting would begin. Yuna, well, but the adults would basically have to stay up all night.

“Uh? I have a drama location shoot scheduled for two months from now.”

“My manager said it wasn’t confirmed yet, so I booked it.”

“Since we don’t know if it’ll happen or not, you should take it off.”

“Yuna has to make up attendance days when school starts.”

Everyone coordinated their schedules with their managers. They were busy people, so even something that had already been arranged caused problems again. Only Muyoung and Ko Gyeongmin just stood there, watching.

“Oppa, are you okay? Why are you just standing there?”

“Yeah. You’ve already taken everything off for me.”

All he asked was to be excused for the final exam period. There was nothing to worry about. After that, it was vacation, so he had even more free time.

Hyojung kept scratching her cheek with her fingertips, as if something was bothering her.

“My face is so itchy today for some reason.”

“Look at me. There’s no dust on it.”

The manager looked at her face, but there seemed to be nothing wrong. Hyojung turned her body as if she was done and demanded from the assistant director,

“Anyway, take that period off. It’ll be really difficult if it overlaps with the location shoot.”

“Um. Yes. I understand. I’ll check and send it back to you.”

“What about the additional shoot today?”

“Only Hyojung needs to be there.”

“……Looks like I’ll be the first to arrive and the last to leave.”

After the brief meeting, everyone except Hyojung prepared to leave. Yuna, holding her mother’s hand tightly, waved to Muyoung.

“Oppa, see you next time.”

“Yeah. Be careful as it gets hotter.”

“See you tomorrow, Uncle Hijun? Bye!”

“……What a ‘bye’.”

Lee Hijun clicked his tongue in disgust. Unlike Muyoung, who bowed politely, he just gave a nod and left. Muyoung smiled brightly and stretched.

“Hyung, shall we go eat something?”

“Yeah. Go say hello to everyone. I’ll leave the car out for you.”

“Yes. I understand! Everyone, thank you for your hard work!”

The staff waved goodbye, and Hyojung just sat on a makeshift chair and smiled.

One thing, her face was still strangely itchy. Was it because she slept with makeup on? It looked like a pimple was coming up.

“Oppa! Can I have a mirror?”

Meanwhile, Muyoung went around the set to say hello and then left work early.

By the time Muyoung and his manager arrived at Big Win Entertainment, the sun had already darkened.

Muyoung, who had filled his stomach with pork backbone stew, opened the office door with a happy expression.

“I’m here!”

“Oh. Muyoung. Did you fight hard today too?”

“Yes. Of course. Boss, aren’t you going home today either?”

“……I’m busy with work, you see. Ahem.”

Really? Muyoung looked around the very quiet office and just laughed.

“But why aren’t you going to the dorm?”

“I left a book behind, so I’m waiting for the manager hyung downstairs. I have to go soon.”

“Oh. Is that so? Wait a minute!”

Na Geumdong seemed to remember something and grabbed Muyoung. Then he rummaged through the pile of miscellaneous boxes to find something.

“Why?”

“A gift has arrived. A gift…… It’s here!”

What he took out was a package from Doctor Martel. From skin and lotion to a newly launched hand cream, the products were packed tightly, with no empty space.

“Huh? Is this it?”

“I sent a reply back then. But they seemed confident? They said I could write anything honestly, as long as I wanted. In return, they lowered the price a bit.”

“Oh ho! That’s awesome.”

“You just need to send it back within a month, so take your time trying it out and let Director Go or me know. We’ll check it once and post it together. Okay?”

It was great that it was his first sponsorship, but free skin and lotion! Muyoung hugged the box tightly and said he understood.

“I’ll start using it right away, starting today.”

“Ugh. If there’s any left, give me some too. It’s supposed to be really good because it’s made of natural ingredients or something.”

“Yes, Boss. I’ll see you later!”

“Okay. Good work today!”

Muyoung winked and left the office.