chapter 30

Chapter 30. Spring's Lover

Yeon-woo turned to see Soo-yeon greeting him after the director's introduction. She was a beautiful actress with fair skin and delicate features, her appearance both elegant and charming.

He recognized her. "We've met before. I'm Ryu Yeon-woo. Pleased to work with you."

Soo-yeon looked puzzled. "Have we?"

"Yes, at the private audition for 'Summer's Closet.' You went in before me."

"Ah, I was so nervous back then that I don't remember who was there. I'm sorry. I've seen you a lot on TV, though." Jung Soo-yeon had been so desperate during the audition that she hadn't paid attention to the other candidates. However, since Ryu Yeon-woo had landed a lead role in the drama, he must have been there.

Soo-yeon bowed to Yeon-woo.

He recalled seeing her leave the audition room with a dejected expression, prompting Ahn Joon-ho to comment on the tense atmosphere and strike up a conversation with him.

Yeon-woo smiled and chatted with Soo-yeon, his co-star for the day, trying to make her feel comfortable. She seemed shy, her cheeks flushing slightly as she nodded quietly.

"Alright, let's start with the first scene. It's the female lead's narration, so we'll just focus on her expressions with a close-up. And… cue!"

The scene took place at a water fountain, where the female lead, Ye-ri, was washing a flowerpot when a soccer ball flew towards her. Woo-hyuk intercepted the ball, and they saw each other for the first time.

Director Kim Han-soo planned to film the ball-blocking part later, focusing on the close-ups first.

Yeon-woo, while appearing expressionless, subtly conveyed the innocent awkwardness of a teenage boy experiencing first love through the slight trembling of his eyes.

Director Kim, watching Yeon-woo's performance on the field monitor, inwardly celebrated. He had made the right choice. Even with a seemingly neutral expression, Yeon-woo's face exuded a captivating charm.

Soo-yeon's slightly surprised reaction as Ye-ri was also perfect.

"Okay, cut!" The director's immediate approval eased the tension among the staff.

Director Kim Han-soo, who had been in a bad mood due to the unruly student extras, was now beaming.

"Next scene! Props!"

"Actor, we'll throw the ball from here, so please block it with your right hand."

"Okay."

After a rehearsal, the soccer ball was thrown gently.

Thud

Ji Woo-hyuk deflected the ball, and Ha Ye-ri, startled, turned around. Both actors portrayed the scene perfectly.

'The scene is good, but…' Director Kim frowned, watching the playback on the field monitor.

The actors' performances were fine, but the soccer ball didn't look threatening enough. He couldn't just speed up that part of the footage.

"If it's okay with you, I'd like the soccer ball to be thrown a bit faster. Yeon-woo, will your arm be alright?"

"Yes, Director, no problem," Yeon-woo and Jung Soo-yeon replied.

Director Kim turned to the crew. "Okay, throw the ball faster, and aim it more directly, not in an arc. Let's go again."

"Yes, sir."

At the signal, a burly member of the lighting crew threw the soccer ball with all his might.

Whoosh

Thwack

However, the increased force compromised his aim, and instead of flying between Jung Soo-yeon and Yeon-woo, the ball hit the edge of the water fountain and ricocheted towards Soo-yeon's face.

The crew member who had thrown the ball froze in shock.

Yeon-woo, already on alert, reacted instinctively, reaching out and deflecting the ball.

Thud

"Eek!" Jung Soo-yeon, genuinely startled by the ball flying towards her face, screamed and stumbled backward.

While the ball wouldn't have caused serious injury, falling backward onto the concrete and brick water fountain could have resulted in a serious accident.

Yeon-woo quickly reached out and caught her by the waist, preventing her fall.

The set fell silent, momentarily frozen.

However, the director, quickly regaining his composure, raised his hand to signal the crew to continue filming.

Yeon-woo, also quickly assessing the situation, continued acting as Ji Woo-hyuk.

"Are you okay?" he ad-libbed, mimicking Kang Joo-won's distinctive tone and mannerisms.

He pulled Soo-yeon upright, released her, and then leaned in closer. "Are you that shocked? Why aren't you saying anything? I asked if you're okay."

His portrayal of Kang Joo-won as a teenager was uncanny.

Soo-yeon, realizing they were still filming, snapped back into character as Ha Ye-ri. "I, I'm okay."

"Okay, cut! Perfect! Nice!" Director Kim Han-soo finally lowered his hand.

The crew cheered, impressed by their improvisation and quick thinking in a potentially dangerous situation.

"Let's watch the playback on the field monitor."

Yeon-woo and Soo-yeon joined the director at the monitor.

The unedited footage played. The ball flew towards the water fountain, ricocheted off the edge, and flew towards Ha Ye-ri. Ji Woo-hyuk, who was partially out of frame, quickly intercepted the ball.

Then, Ye-ri's genuine scream and stumble, followed by Ji Woo-hyuk catching her, looked like a perfectly choreographed scene.

And then, Yeon-woo spoke, his voice channeling Kang Joo-won:

–"Are you okay?"

–"Are you that shocked? Why aren't you saying anything? I asked if you're okay."

A shiver ran down Director Kim Han-soo's spine. It was Ryu Yeon-woo acting, but he could clearly see Kang Joo-won in his performance. It wasn't just the physical resemblance; it was something more.

"Yeon-woo, how did you do that? It's like you read my mind. You are Ji Woo-hyuk."

"Ah, I heard Senior Kang Joo-won was cast as the adult version, so I tried to… enhance the audience's immersion…"

Director Kim, a seasoned veteran, understood immediately. He clapped his hands, touched by Yeon-woo's dedication, even for a cameo role.

"Chul-min was singing your praises, and he was right. You have the makings of a great actor."

"Director, you're too kind. Thank you." Yeon-woo was flustered by the effusive praise. He had simply prepared diligently for his role.

They continued filming the rest of the scenes scheduled for the day.

Yeon-woo, standing next to Jung Soo-yeon at the school festival, watching a performance.

Turning around at the cue, surrounded by cheering students at a sports day.

His bright smile, his handsome face radiating youthful energy.

The subsequent school scenes, each frame looking like a page from a pictorial, made the assistant director exclaim in admiration, "Wow, those visuals."

Director Kim Han-soo, watching the monitor, nodded silently in agreement.

"Okay, cut!"

Although these were short scenes, they were crucial for conveying the director's vision, so they often required multiple takes, making the filming process time-consuming.

Finally, they filmed the last scene of the day.

"Okay, cut!"

Clap! Clap!

"Good work, everyone."

"Thank you for your hard work."

The shoot wrapped up, and the extras and crew exchanged farewells.

The extras, who had been hesitant to approach him earlier, now gathered around Yeon-woo.

"Excuse me, can I take a picture with you?"

"Hyung, I'm a fan."

Many of them were aspiring actors, both male and female, their eyes full of admiration for Yeon-woo, who had become a star seemingly overnight.

"Of course, let's take a picture together."

The students happily posed for photos with Yeon-woo.

The male aspiring actors, however, burst into laughter as they looked at the pictures.

"Wow, I can't post this. I look like a squid next to him."

"Dude, I look even worse. Look at this."

"Haha, you're right. But I still look better than you."

They were either friends from the same acting academy or child actors who had met on set before.

Yeon-woo, who hadn't had a chance to befriend other actors his age, found their camaraderie fascinating.

'Well, someone my age in this industry would be… as old as Jung Chul-min.' He chuckled at the absurd thought.

"Director, thank you for your hard work today."

"No, thank you, Yeon-woo. You've elevated our film. The release date will probably be after the college entrance exam, so let's attend the stage greetings together."

"Yes, Director, I'd be honored."

"Thank you. Haha." Director Kim Han-soo smiled warmly, impressed by Yeon-woo's continued humility, despite his sudden rise to fame.

Yeon-woo said goodbye to Director Kim and the other staff members and headed towards the parking lot, where Min-soo was waiting.

"Excuse me!"

He turned around to see Jung Soo-yeon running towards him.

"Ah, Soo-yeon."

Soo-yeon, her cheeks flushed, shyly held out her phone. "Um, if it's not too much trouble, could we exchange numbers? I don't have any friends my age in the industry, and…" Her voice trailed off, becoming too quiet to hear.

Yeon-woo smiled and took her phone. "Sure, I don't have any friends my age in this industry either."

He entered his number, called his own phone to confirm, and then returned the phone to Soo-yeon.

"Next scene! Actress Jung Soo-yeon!"

"Yes!" She responded to the staff's call, bowed to Yeon-woo, and hurried back to the set.

Just then, Min-soo's playful voice came from inside the van as he rolled down the window. "So, our actor, did you just get a girl's number? And such a pretty one, too?"

Yeon-woo grinned. "I guess so."