chapter 12

Chapter 12. The Production Presentation

Bzzt! Bzzt!

"Whoa! Crazy! It's Han So-hyun! Whoa!"

"Aack! She's so pretty! Seriously!"

The entire class erupted at the selfie of Han So-hyun and Ryu Yeon-woo that appeared in their group chat. The picture was a powerful bomb for high school boys in their prime years of celebrity obsession. The news quickly spread to neighboring classes, and students poured in, craning their necks to see the photo on each other's smartphones, the classroom becoming increasingly chaotic.

"Hey! What's all this commotion?!"

The homeroom teacher, Lee Jung-tae, flung open the door, having heard the noise from the teachers' office.

"Sir! Look at this!" Woo Sung-sik, sitting in the front row, showed him the photo on his phone.

"What's going on here… Whoa!" Lee Jung-tae, surprised by the photo, yelled even louder than the students. He was a fan of Han So-hyun.

The buzz about Yeon-woo was not limited to his school; it was trending online as well.

-Anyone know anything about the rookie in Summer's Closet?

└ Please share if you find out.

-I've watched the teaser ten times. Ugh, I'm already obsessed. The casting is insane.

-Son Jin-wook and Han So-hyun together is amazing, but who's the other guy?

-His profile says Ryu Yeon-woo.

Rom-com enthusiasts were going crazy trying to find information about Yeon-woo, as there was nothing beyond a basic profile available online.

-He goes to my school. He's a senior, and he's super popular.

└ No way.

-I don't know if the comment above is true, but his profile does say he's a high school student.

A student from Yeon-woo's school tried to contribute to the online discussion, but their comment was quickly buried under others.

The next day, the main and supporting cast of "Summer's Closet," along with the writer and director, gathered at the JNBC annex, all dressed impeccably for the drama's production presentation.

After a brief photo-op, the team took their seats for the presentation.

"Hello, I'm JNBC announcer Kim Min-ah, and I'll be hosting the production presentation for 'Summer's Closet.'"

Clap!! clap!! clap!!

The presentation began with applause from the staff, cast, and reporters.

"Today's presentation is being broadcast live on JNBC Live Now and the official JNBC YouTube channel. Please bear with us if there are any technical difficulties."

Kim Min-ah paused for breath and continued, "Now, a drama perfectly suited for its premiere in 'winter,' 'Summer's Closet.'"

Hahaha!!

Her playful comment drew laughter from the audience.

She then introduced the drama and the actors, followed by the teaser video.

"Ah, such a refreshing and youthful drama, isn't it? Now, we'll take questions from viewers, starting with the director."

The first question was directed at Director Kim Han-soo.

"Director, the average age of the cast is 24. With such a young cast, the atmosphere on set must have been lively."

"Haha, that's right. I felt young again myself. 'Summer's Closet' is a bright and energetic campus romantic comedy, adapted from the popular webtoon, as you all know. We hope you enjoy it."

Kim Min-ah then turned to Son Jin-wook. "Jin-wook, how was the filming experience?"

"The mood on set was fantastic, thanks to our mood maker, Ahn Joon-ho, and our mascot, Ryu Yeon-woo."

The announcer naturally shifted her attention to Yeon-woo. "The online response has been incredible. Look at how fast the chat is going! I can't even keep up. Yeon-woo, you've appeared like a comet. I heard you're a high school student."

"Yes, that's right. I'm Ryu Yeon-woo, playing Cha Woo-joo. I joined the drama through an audition and am currently attending Dongwoon High School. It's a pleasure to meet you all through such a wonderful project. I hope you enjoy it."

Yeon-woo introduced himself clearly and confidently, even adding a finger heart.

"Oh my, such eloquence. I thought I was listening to a statue speak."

Hahaha!!

The room erupted in laughter again.

"So-hyun, the female lead playing Yeo-reum in 'Summer's Closet,' please say hello to the viewers."

"Hello, I'm Han So-hyun, playing Jung Yeo-reum, who will be facing a happy dilemma between Kang Seo-joon and Cha Woo-joo on campus. Hey, isn't the chat speed for Woo-joo way faster than mine? Haha."

Her comment drew more laughter.

"Ho ho, So-hyun, someone just commented in the live chat, 'No! So-hyun noona, don't leave me, or I'll die!' That was from Lee Jung-tae. We'll send you a small gift. We'll be sending gifts, including autographed items from the cast, to viewers who leave comments like this, so please keep the chat clean."

'Lee Jung-tae? That's the same name as my homeroom teacher.' Yeon-woo chuckled, imagining his gruff homeroom teacher leaving comments online. 'No way.'

The production presentation continued in a pleasant atmosphere, with the main and supporting cast and Screenwriter Choi Mi-hyun answering various questions.

"Thank you for your hard work."

The presentation ended, and the staff and actors exchanged greetings.

Director Kim Han-soo clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "It's a happy day, so let's have a celebratory dinner, everyone!"

Cheers!!

The staff cheered at his suggestion.

Thanks to the smooth filming and the positive atmosphere on set, despite the tight schedule and various setbacks, they were nearing the end of filming.

The "Summer's Closet" team gathered at a Korean restaurant that the assistant director had booked in advance.

"Let's start with a toast from our director."

Director Kim waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, what's the point of listening to an old man? Let's have our youngest member, who's drinking cider instead of alcohol, lead the toast."

Hahaha!!

Sounds good!

Yeon-woo, unexpectedly tasked with the toast, stood up with an embarrassed smile.

He raised his glass and said in a clear voice, "I've learned so much during this production. I'll continue to give my best until the very end! 'Summer's Closet,' fighting!"

"Fighting!"

"Fighting!"

Everyone cheerfully echoed Yeon-woo's toast and took their first sip, marking the start of the celebratory dinner.

The party progressed with lively chatter, singing, and dancing.

"Our Woo-joo, you have a crying scene tomorrow. How are you going to manage?" Han So-hyun, sitting next to Yeon-woo, asked.

"Whose fault is that?"

"What? Pfft." So-hyun giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Hey, tomorrow's crying scene is partly my fault, but isn't it mostly because of Senior Sang-joong over there? Haha."

Lee Sang-joong, who was sitting at the next table, responded to So-hyun's comment, "Hey, what are you talking about? I had no choice!"

The actors around them laughed at his playful remark.

However, Yeon-woo, immersed in his character, couldn't bring himself to smile brightly. Lee Sang-joong was playing Cha Woo-joo's father, 'Chairman Cha.'

The scene they were filming tomorrow was where Woo-joo, after belatedly realizing his feelings for Yeo-reum, watches her growing closer to Seo-joon and becomes despondent. Then, through a chance encounter, he learns the reason behind his father's harsh treatment of his mother.

As the party ended and Yeon-woo was about to head back to his accommodations, something caught his eye.

"Ugh…"

A man, looking like a zombie, was slumped in a corner of the parking lot.

As Yeon-woo approached, he recognized him as the lighting director, Im Sung-soo.

"No one saw him because he's hidden in the corner?" Yeon-woo, looking troubled, tried to wake him up. "Director, wake up. You'll freeze to death if you sleep here."

"Ugh…" The lighting director showed no signs of waking up.

"Hmm, what should I do?"

Yeon-woo took out Im Sung-soo's wallet and checked his ID. The address wasn't too far away.

"I have no choice."

A drunk adult man was much heavier than a sack of rice of the same weight.

Yeon-woo hoisted the unconscious lighting director onto his back.

"Taxi!"

"Ugh, I still have a hangover. We went too hard last night."

"Did you get home alright, hyung?"

"Don't even ask. I don't remember a thing, but I woke up at home. My wife gave me an earful this morning. Apparently, Yeon-woo carried me home."

Everyone was surprised by lighting director Im Sung-soo's words.

"What? Yeon-woo?"

"Yeah, I was completely out of it, so he was worried and took a taxi with me, then carried me all the way to my apartment. I thanked him profusely as soon as I got to the set."

"Wow, what a well-mannered young man."

Ryu Yeon-woo, who had found the drunken Im Sung-soo in the parking lot after the party, had checked his ID for his address and personally taken him home.

Im Sung-soo's wife and daughter were shocked, first by their husband/father being carried home, and then by the stunningly handsome face of the person who had carried him.

The initially chaotic atmosphere on set gradually settled as they prepared for filming.

Just then, the other actors arrived.

"Huh? Noona, hyung, you don't have any scenes this morning, do you?"

"Of course, we have to come and support our maknae for his big scene."

"That's right. It's the day our Woo-joo cries his eyes out."

Yeon-woo was touched by their thoughtful gesture, especially considering their busy schedules.

"I'll have to channel this gratitude into my tears later. Noona, you don't usually drink, and you two didn't drink much last night, right?"

Jin-wook and Joon-ho replied to Yeon-woo's question, "Of course, we paced ourselves. We have scenes this afternoon, and we can't have puffy faces."

"Okay, we're rolling!" the assistant director called out. The trio gave Yeon-woo a thumbs-up.

Yeon-woo entered the set and greeted Lee Sang-joong. "Senior, I look forward to working with you today."

"You're the one who's going to have a tough time. I'll do my best to help you get into character."

"Ready!… Cue!"

At the director's signal, Yeon-woo began his lines.