Chapter 82: Documentary

“Hello.”

Muyoung sat with a white wall behind him.

He smiled and bowed to the camera.

“I’m Ha Muyoung, a rookie actor.”

This was the first time he’d introduced himself like this since filming his audition video for Late Night Pocha.

Muyoung awkwardly fidgeted with his sleeves and looked at the production crew.

Lee Yujin, the main producer, the writer, the cameraman, and others surrounded him.

“How long have you been since you debuted?”

The writer squatted in front of him and asked a question. In the video, it would all be edited and presented as subtitles.

Muyoung waited for two seconds, as they had instructed him, before answering. That brief pause would serve as an editing point.

“The movie is about to be released, and the drama hasn’t started filming yet. I’m basically a chick who hasn’t even debuted yet. I haven’t been acting for long either.”

That’s how the interview began. Ko Gyeongmin stood by the door and checked his watch. The documentary was tied to a reading session. They would film a bit here and then move to the adjacent room to proceed with the reading.

‘It’s tight.’

Still, it’s fortunate that it’s the same S company and the producers overlap. It gives more flexibility when planning movements and schedules.

“-The first time I started acting, it wasn’t anything special. I was a senior in high school. It was a really tough time. I felt like I was going to die, and my mind went blank.”

Muyoung looked at the question and recited the answer he had prepared in advance. Since he thought of it as a kind of ‘show,’ it wasn’t too difficult.

“Producer, we’re out of time.”

“Okay? Let’s move.”

“Bring the lights as they are.”

The only thing that was a bit burdensome was that the camera didn’t turn off. Muyoung looked around in surprise and asked,

“Are we moving right away like this?”

“It’s right next door, so let’s go.”

“Oh. Yep.”

Awkward. Muyoung got up clumsily and led the way in front of the camera. Most of the actors had already arrived and were seated. Since it was an official reading schedule, not only the documentary team but also the press and the production company’s stills team were there.

“Hello.”

“Good morning.”

They were idols, after all. They looked perfect from early morning, smiling and waving at the camera.

“Please sit down and wait for a moment.”

As he sat in the seat the staff guided him to, all eyes were on him. Muyoung’s neck and ears turned bright red.

This is so embarrassing. When filming, the camera was clearly turned on and off, so it was fine, but this is like a lost puppy following me around.

“Is this the anniversary documentary, right?”

Song-a, sitting next to Muyoung, whispered to him. Even as she did so, she didn’t forget to keep her face angled toward the camera.

“They said we’ll be stuck together like this all day today.”

“Wow. That’s amazing. It’s just like when I did ‘Lover Couple.’”

She was referring to a virtual romance simulation variety show. That one was also almost 24 hours a day, closely monitored. Muyoung rested his chin on his hand and flipped through the script for no reason.

“Well, it looks like everyone’s here, so let’s start the reading. Before that, I’d like to say thank you for your cooperation with today’s documentary filming. I’m Lee Yujin, the director in charge.”

The reading began with her greeting. The assistant director and other key production staff also greeted everyone, and among the actors, Muyoung was the first to speak.

“I’m Doha, the leader of Meryl Kelly. Nice to meet you.”

In The Plague, I remember greeting everyone almost at the very end after going around in circles. But to think that in just a few months, I’ve landed a leading role. It feels like a world of difference.

“I’m Miran, Song-a.”

“I’m Romin, the mermaid prince!”

The lead actors and other supporting actors exchanged names in one place. There were also many veteran actors who were active as supporting actors, like seasoning in a dish.

“Well, let’s get started.”

They had already greeted each other once before filming began, but it was still awkward. A large camera was focused solely on him because they were filming a documentary.

“#1. Let’s start in front of the playground near the university, with Song-a.”

“Yes!”

It was her first official acting performance. Song-a seemed nervous, her hands trembling slightly. Of course, only Muyoung, who was watching her from the side, could barely notice.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

Miran, who had failed her exams and run away from home like a runaway.

She sits blankly in a place called the playground of youth, watching people pass by.

Why are they all laughing like that? They all look happy, without a worry in the world. Except for me.

“I wish the Earth would just end.”

“It can’t be like that.”

That’s how she had her first meeting with Doha.

After miraculously getting into H University with a high correct answer rate on the exam sheet, which she thought she had filled out one space off, the two met as seniors and juniors and developed a friendship and love through club activities.

“Good. Let’s keep going, without stopping.”

The producer turned the pages with satisfaction. Everyone seemed to have prepared well, as there were no hiccups and it went smoothly. Well, actually, there were a few parts that needed some directing……

‘There are too many cameras.’

I’ll have to tell them later, he thought. After all, not only were the reporters there, but the documentary filming cameras were also rolling.

‘Besides, if the fandom goes crazy, it’ll be a headache.’

Kids these days are scary. Lee Yujin smiled slyly and focused on the script. Muyoung, who was looking around, wrote something on the edge of a piece of paper and handed it to Song-a.

‘Is constantly flipping your hair a habit?’

Song-a’s eyes widened when she saw the note.

Me? Do I keep flipping my hair?

‘Since we’re sitting down, it’s okay for now, but if it’s a habit, you should try to fix it. Miran always wears her hair in a bun, so it seems like a habit that doesn’t fit the character. Sorry if I offended you.’

I had no idea. I guess it’s a habit I developed because I always let my hair down and dance on stage……

‘No, thank you. Is there anything else?’

‘Your pronunciation of ‘l’ seems to slip a bit.’

The two leaned their foreheads together and whispered, exchanging feedback. Except for Romin, this was the first time anyone had said something like this, so she was cautious.

“Mr. Ha Muyoung?”

“Yes?”

Then, the two were startled by Lee Yujin’s sudden call. She asked with a smile,

“Here, we’re going to do a close-up without dialogue, and I’m wondering whether to completely remove the background sound. I think the acting will come alive with some sound. Do you have an opinion?”

It was a monotonous reading session. The main producer of the documentary and the writer exchanged silent glances. They were filming Ha Muyoung based on Lee Yujin’s recommendation, but……

“Honestly, other than the fact that he’s good-looking, I don’t really know what else there is.”

“There’s more than one parachute kid. Just let it go and move on.”

What they wanted were starving young artists of this generation, barely surviving in a basement room on a pittance.

Ha Muyoung also says he’s living with someone, but from the outside, his life seems too smooth.

“He starts out by filming with Director Jin Gyeongmun. Then he immediately lands a lead role in a broadcast drama. There are countless people who would give up their lives to get to that point.”

“If luck is a skill, then it’s a skill.”

“Luck without skill is just a fluke.”

While the writer and producer were whispering and chatting, Muyoung carefully examined the script at Lee Yujin’s request.

[Doha successfully finishes his performance. He looks at the audience with a face full of joy and happiness.]

It was definitely a tricky stage direction.

Without any dialogue, he would have to express the heat of the performance venue solely through his facial expressions.

‘The passion on stage that only artists can feel. The heat. The energy from the fans. The joy. The overwhelming excitement. The satisfaction of endorphins about to burst, so much so that you feel like you could die without regret. The happiness of having no regrets even if you die.’

It was too abstract. But the idols who had been on stage knew what it meant.

I know what it is, but it’s hard to explain in words. How can a non-experienced person express that?

“What do you mean by sound?”

“The cheers of the fans.”

She planned to slowly fade out the audio (the sound gradually weakening and disappearing) to show only the protagonist’s emotions. Muyoung thought for a moment, then raised his head.

“I’ll give it a try. You can watch and decide. I’m not sure which one would be better either.”

“Oh. What I’m asking is—”

Can we do without the sound effects? Can the acting work without sound effects? But Muyoung, who didn’t understand her intention, immediately captured the emotion.

“It depends on what the ending song is. The first version.”

Muyoung smiled widely, very widely. As if he were so happy he was about to die. His slightly teary eyes shone beautifully even under the meeting room lights.

Taak!

“And the second one.”

Muyoung snapped his fingers and immediately changed his expression to a different one. It was like magic. Although the expressions were similar, a completely different emotion was contained in that one sound.

‘Emptiness.’

It’s an emotion that singers often feel. After interacting with hundreds or millions of fans on stage, they return home alone and are greeted by this emotion. A sense of loneliness, as if they are left alone, often overwhelms them.

Taak!

“Next is one that’s purely focused on Doha’s character.”

A smile that was supremely confident and proud. Of course, it’s me! I’ve pulled off this amazing performance!

It was a smile full of confidence. Unlike the previous ones, which had a bit of negative emotion mixed in, this was a state of ideal purity at over 100 percent.

“I think I can express it to this extent.”

Muyoung quickly made three facial expressions and looked at Lee Yujin.

Had it only been about seven seconds? The three expressions that flashed by in that brief moment were so intense.

“Were you perhaps a singer trainee?”

A veteran actor also asked curiously.

“Oh, no. I only trained as an actor.”

“But you’ve got the point. Well, of course, I don’t know it perfectly either, but the three expressions are similar yet clearly different. They really hit the mark.”

“Thank you.”

Muyoung stood up and bowed. The veteran actor who had praised him had been in the industry for nearly 40 years. To be praised by him for his acting……

‘Wow.’

Song-a and Pyo Lai exchanged glances and laughed incredulously. He’s crazy. He’s really good.

“Producer?”

“Oh. Um. What do you think, sound director?”

“I think we can do without it. Muyoung’s expressions alone should be enough.”

I completely agree with him. Lee Yujin took a pen and crossed out the effect notes on the script.

“Well, let’s continue. Where were we?”

The atmosphere in the reading room returned to normal, with only the reporter and the stills team in the corner frantically tapping their feet as they filmed them.

“Oh, that expression just now was really good. Did you film it?”

“No, it went by too fast.”

It was like watching a professional magic show. How could he pinpoint things so skillfully and perfectly? The sound of his fingers snapping made it seem even more like that.

“Senior, did we film you?”

The documentary writer suddenly came to her senses and asked the cameraman. The man nodded confidently. The producer and writer looked at each other awkwardly and muttered,

“We have to air that part from just now.”

“Yeah, of course.”

“I’ve been told to be careful about what I say since I joined the company for years, but I still have a long way to go.”

A few minutes ago, when I was ranting about him being a parachute kid, I felt so embarrassed I could die. I’ve never seen anything like that before, and I probably never will again.

“If we do this well, we might actually be filming something huge.”

We’re documenting the past of an actor who will become famous in the future. The producer’s muttering prevented the writer from making her usual sarcastic remarks, because it seemed true. It didn’t seem like an unrealistic statement at all.

“Next is Ha Muyoung going home, right?”

“Yeah, let’s move together and go.”

“Where did he say he lived?”

“Somewhere in Mapo, I think. He’s living with someone, in an officetel. It’s pretty nice, he said. Don’t be surprised.”

The writer laughed at the producer’s playful words.

“Surprised? We’re happy. Viewers like that kind of thing. Who lives where and how much they earn.”

Primal desires are the very tools that can wake up viewership ratings. She checked her watch, waiting for the reading to end.

Let’s see how nice his house is and capture it on video!