Chapter 92: Outdoor Filming
“Whoa, it’s cold.”
Muyoung blew on his hands and stomped his feet.
The streets were completely empty. It was winter break, a weekday morning, and most importantly, they had rented out the entire road and alley for filming purposes.
“Hello!”
“Muyoung’s here. Ha Muyoung is here!”
“Come on in. How’s your makeup?”
“It’s outdoors today, so it’s a bit chaotic. I got it done at the shop. Is there anything I can help with?”
Muyoung asked, squeezing his way through the busy staff.
Since they had rented the location, there was a time limit—about three hours.
They had to film everything they could in that location within that time.
“No, it’s okay. Go sit down.”
“I’ll get cold if I just sit still. Can I help move this?”
“Where’s the manager?”
“They said no parking out front, so he went far away to find a parking lot. Haha.”
Besides, it was outdoors, not a studio, so things were messy and cluttered.
Muyoung diligently helped them and waited for the other actors to arrive.
“Thanks. You’ve checked today’s filming scenes, right?”
“Of course! It’s me, Ha Muyoung~”
Muyoung jokingly replied to the staff’s concern.
Today’s main scene was Meryl Kelly’s first street performance. Like Doha, Muyoung had never done a street performance before.
“I’m so nervous. Haha.”
“You’re doing it in front of extras, though.”
It was also a classic youth cliché scene where, at first, no one pays attention, but they just enjoy themselves and sing their own songs, and soon the audience is crowded around them.
Muyoung looked around and asked.
The main and supporting actors were one thing, but where were the extras?
“Where did everyone go? They’re usually the first ones to arrive.”
“Uh, there was also a shoot in Busan, I think. Some movie or something. They sent all the extras there for a crowd scene. They said they’d be here on time, so they should arrive soon.”
“Oh. I see. That’s a huge scale, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. Even the people at the company weren’t enough, so they brought in other agencies. It’s like China or something.”
He was referring to China’s famous directing method that relies on sheer numbers. Muyoung just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. As they prepared for filming, the members began to arrive one by one.
“Hello! Good morning!”
“Romin! Over here!”
“Song-a and Pyo Lai have arrived too!”
“Seo Jeongmun went to the bathroom.”
“Ugh. It’s so cold today.”
“Hey, I went on The Great Challenge and met MC Dooseok. Hehe.”
And as soon as Muyoung met his friends, he turned on his bragging switch.
He showed off the photo he took with MC Dooseok and the autograph he received, smiling proudly.
“Look at this. Wow, it’s real. Congrats, bro.”
“He’s so nice and gentle, right? I got a lot of help from him when I was on that show.”
They huddled close together, sharing warmth as they waited to start.
Normally, it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but in the face of the icy wind, every second felt like a minute.
Unable to bear it any longer, Pyo Lai sniffled and asked,
“Assistant director, aren’t we going to start filming?”
Besides, the clothes were a bit thin. They were wrapped up in long padded jackets and blankets, but the wind was seeping in from the inside.
“Uh, just a moment. Has the team leader contacted you?”
“I’m doing it right now!”
“Ah, really.”
Something seemed to be going wrong.
The team members, who had been huddled together, glanced at each other warily. The atmosphere felt strange, right? Something must be wrong. Ugh, it’s so cold…
“What? What did you say?”
And then, the assistant director’s shout, which put an end to it all, was heard. Yeah, something’s happened, I don’t know what. As if accepting it, Muyoung nodded his head.
“What the hell, are you kidding me right now?”
Whoa, I’ve never seen the assistant director get so angry. Muyoung and the members held their breath and pricked up their ears.
“Then what are we supposed to do? Ah, really. Then we’ll change the order and proceed with filming, so… make sure to arrive within an hour. Otherwise, things will get complicated for everyone. Yes, yes. Got it.”
The assistant director ended the call roughly.
He soon reported the situation to Director Lee Yujin.
“There’s been a bit of a problem.”
“Yeah, it sounds like it from what you just said. Why? What happened?”
“They went to Busan to film a movie, right? But there were too many people, so the film company chartered a big bus for them. But it’s not just ‘Dongguran’ on that bus, there are also people from the agency… and it broke down.”
‘Dongguran’ was an extra office contracted with Company S.
“Huh? What?”
“The bus broke down in the middle of the highway. They’re stuck and can’t move. They sent a van from Seoul in a hurry, but it’s stuck in traffic…”
Oh. My. God.
Director Lee Yujin gasped, her mouth agape. What does this mean? She quickly shook her head and gave instructions.
“Check if the company has any other extra staff and ask them to bring in as many as possible. And let’s change the order and film the kids’ individual scenes first.”
“Yes, got it.”
She had envisioned a crowded image, so she needed a lot of people. She really wanted to create some decent visuals, so she had planned to spend most of the three hours on that…
“Ugh. Damn it.”
Yeah, it seemed too smooth. This is live—something has to go wrong.
She gnashed her cold, frozen fingertips and looked at the actors. Five little chicks were squatting down.
“I’m sorry, guys. Let’s do the individual scenes first—Song-a and Lai.”
“Oh, yes!”
“Get ready to start! We’re going to shoot scene 17 first! Stylist, over here! Finish up with the kids!”
The filming had to start anyway. They had already rented the road. At the director’s instruction, the two took off their padded jackets and let out a nervous sigh.
“I’m sorry, guys. Let’s just get through this.”
“Yes, it’s okay. Give me some ice.”
To prevent their breath from showing, the actors all held a piece of ice in their mouths. They shivered inside and out, their flesh trembling.
With the two of them, the official filming began.
“What? Did your senior really say that?”
“That’s what they said. They insisted that if it’s not you, no other vocalist would do. What’s going on between you two?”
“What, what do you mean?”
Despite their faces being frozen stiff, the two actresses delivered a fairly natural performance. To hide their breath, they even held their breath as much as possible while acting passionately.
“Okay! Cut!”
“Thank you!”
“Next! Let’s move on quickly!”
Director Lee Yujin kept checking her watch and urging them on. Then Muyoung, Romin, and even Seo Jeongmun joined in to fill the gaps in the derailed filming schedule.
“Okay! Cut!”
Was it because they understood the actors’ struggles, or because of their passionate performances? The okay signs came out smoothly. They had filmed everything they needed to…
“Are they here yet? Where are they?”
“They’re passing Suwon. They said they sent fifteen people by taxi from Seoul.”
“No…”
It’s over. Today’s a bust. Director Lee Yujin thought about the filming and editing schedule in her head. Time is one thing, but when will these five people be available at the same time again?
“Uh, Director.”
“Yeah?”
Muyoung, who was kneading a hot pack, asked.
“If it’s because there are no extras, couldn’t we ask those people over there to help?”
His gaze was directed at the onlookers. People passing by were wondering what kind of filming was going on, glancing over. Of course, most of them just passed by because of the cold weather.
“We have to perform on stage without music, and will those people respond well? Besides, you guys are idols. If someone calls out your real name, it’s an immediate NG. It’s also dangerous.”
They had to act like they were enjoying themselves while running together. For extras, that’s their job, but for passersby, it would be difficult. An awkward scene is worse than no scene at all.
“Then let’s just play the song and record it.”
The audio director, who was listening from the side, chimed in. Usually, when filming club scenes, they tell the actors to dance without music. That way, they can overlay the music on the video and make it look clean.
“And only add sound to the onlookers’ scenes. That’s the only way to do it. The kids are going to sing anyway.”
“Hmm…”
She fell silent for a moment, deep in thought.
There was only one option, but there were too many things to consider. Romin, who was also blowing on his hands, supported Muyoung’s opinion.
“I think that would be better too. If we tell them that we’re filming and ask for their cooperation, I think it’ll work somehow.”
“There’s another problem. If you have people standing around, it’s hard to stop in the middle and shoot from a different angle.”
There wasn’t much time, so it would be difficult to shoot multiple takes. The actors’ stamina was also a concern. Then the camera director took out a handheld camera and said,
“We can just shoot from among the audience too.”
“Like a fancam?”
“It should work somehow if we edit it.”
“Oh… okay. I get it. Alright! Damn it, whether it turns into a mess or not, the table’s set, so let’s eat!”
Director Lee Yujin shouted loudly and gathered the staff.
And quickly, she explained their tasks one by one.
“Make sure the actors’ names don’t get picked up on the audio. And let them know they might appear on TV, and if they’re okay with it, place them in the front. Camera director, are you ready?”
“Yeah, I’ll tell our youngest members to each grab one. Just in case, let’s have one fixed in the middle.”
“You guys get ready too. We’re going to shoot it all in one long take and edit it later, so you need to act well. Got it?”
“Yes, got it.”
Once the filming concept was decided, they quickly moved the equipment to the side.
Microphones and instruments lay on the ground. The members stood in their places, smiling awkwardly.
“What do we do?”
“Yeah, what are we supposed to do…”
“This is the filming of S Company’s drama You are a Star, I am a Star! If you’d like to watch, please come forward! You might be on camera!”
Pyo Lai and Seo Jeongmun just stood there, looking blankly at the chaotic staff. Everyone looked confused, not knowing how to start. Then Muyoung gently strummed the guitar strings.
Dee-ing!
It sounded like he was saying, “Everyone, pay attention.”
The members turned their heads to look at the leader. Then Muyoung began to play the OST title song awkwardly.
Ding. Dee-deeing! Ding!
“No, the piano should come in first.”
“You’re not supposed to do it like that over there.”
Seo Jeongmun and Pyo Lai pointed out Muyoung’s chords and laughed. Then, Doha slightly raised his eyebrows.
“Playing around? Then you try it.”
“…!”
Pyo Lai noticed Doha’s tone, voice, gaze, and gestures, and smiled as he picked up the sticks.
“Think I can’t do it if you tell me to?”
“Miran, I’ll keep the beat for you. One, two!”
Thump! Thump-thump! Thump!
And soon, the sound of music began to rise slowly. The people standing far away also hesitated and approached them. Song-a’s clear voice instantly silenced the chaotic atmosphere.
“It was a beautiful sunshine—”
“Director! Camera!”
“You’ll be trapped by my charm and won’t be able to escape—”
“What is this? Who are they?”
“Huh? It’s Song-a and Romin…”
“We’re filming!”
“Where? Wow, it’s real!”
As the control line collapsed, people approached Meryl Kelly members with their phones in hand. Bodies moved naturally to the cheerful rhythm.
“Wow—”
“This is amazing.”
Having come lightly to see celebrities, everyone’s mouths were shut tight as they watched the five members perform seriously. They chose to listen to the music rather than call out their names.
“You’ll be trapped by my charm—and won’t be able to escape!”
“You’ll be trapped by my charm—and won’t be able to escape!”
Everyone got excited at Doha and Miran’s shouts!
The atmosphere was reminiscent of an actual busking performance. Doha captivated the crowd with his stylish performance. The members’ faces showed admiration, thinking, “Wow, he’s pretty good.”
“Hey, I’m in Hongdae right now, and wow! This is amazing!”
“Kyaaaah!”
“Waaaah! Look over here! Here!”
Doha walked in a circle while holding the guitar.
And he gave the fans a light high-five! Director Lee Yujin, who was watching from the side, covered her head.
“Director, are you okay?”
“The video will probably turn out natural… but editing is going to be a nightmare.”
Meryl Kelly members’ vivid performance was captured on the audience’s phones. And it was quickly spread and shared on SNS feeds. It was a night when the drama’s name, You are a Star, I am a Star, topped the real-time search rankings.