Shooting (1)

After Sooyun changed into his clothes for the shoot, the rest of the cast and crew members immediately gathered around Suwon, who explained the sequence of the scenes in detail.

All of them were already knowledgeable about it, but for final reminders, it was important. 

"Sooyun, remember that you're an undercover police officer who's just received a call about a robbery in a local restaurant. Minjae, you're the robber, desperate and cornered. I want to see the difference in emotion between you two." Suwon glanced back and forth at Sooyun and Minjae. 

"We'll start the shooting with the robbery first. Afterward, Sooyun, you'll chase Minjae through the streets for a few meters before the exchange of conversation will happen. There's already a mark there with the two of you should stop." Suwon pointed at the end of the street.

"It's an intense scene, so I want raw emotions. Got it? We can cut after the chasing scene since there will be a transition."

Both actors nodded, absorbing every word coming out of Director Suwon's mouth. 

Minjae knew what he had to do in the scene. He practiced his lines perfectly and understood the emotions behind them. On the other hand, Sooyun had a subtle grin on his face, feeling overly confident. 

"Positions, everyone!" As Suwon shouted out loud, the crew scattered to their respective places. 

Minjae was guided by Yejun inside a local restaurant with a few extras inside. The extras were having the time of their life since they only needed to mind their business and act as if they were enjoying the food and the company of each other. 

"You can sit in a free spot there. We already included a marking on the seat." Yejun reminded Minjae as he pointed out a solo table in the corner of the restaurant.

"Once you're set, give me a sign so I can forward it to Suwon." 

"Alright, director. I got it." Minjae hastily nodded as he made his way towards his place.

As he sat, he immediately saw the multiple cameras stationed in every corner of the room. Trying to survey them, he quickly fixed his posture and faced the camera, showing his face. 

When he was okay with his position, he raised a hand and showed an okay sign. 

"I'm ready, Director." 

[Do you want to activate your Bonus Skill now, Host?]

'Not yet,' Minjae answered. 'I'll use it later.' 

[Understood, Host.] 

Minjae was saving it for later.

Right now, he was still confident. 

He was ready for the scene. 

- - - 

Remaining in his place, Sowun and Sean worked together to give final reminders to the audio, lighting, and camera directors. 

One of the most seasoned camera directors, Chanhee, was tasked with capturing the most intense part of the scene earlier. 

"Chanhee, I want a full view later on as they run towards the corner of the alley. Once the emotions are starting to surface, change the view to a close-up shot of their faces." Sowun was kind of nervous about the scene, knowing that they could only do a few takes because of how delayed their time was.

"I got it, Sowun. Don't worry.' Chanhee laughed heartily as he nodded.

A genuine smile crossed his face. He had been working as a camera director for a few decades already. He already knew all of this as if it was the back of his hand. 

"Oh right…" Sowun let out a deep sigh. With Chanhee's words, he became more assured. 

"Sowun, Minjae and Sooyun are already ready." Sean, who was now wearing an earpiece, relayed the information to Suwon. 

Suwon glanced to the side and nodded. Taking out his mic, he gave a last look at all the crew members before speaking. 

"Ready on standby."

"The scene will start in 3… 2… 1…""

Tud!

As the clapperboard made a sound, the whole place suddenly became eerily quiet. No one dared to speak as the shoot finally began. 

The scene began with Minjae in the restaurant. He was eating alone, looking quite problematic. He was looking at the air without any emotions on his face. It was a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere going around.

"Hah…" Minjae loudly sighed as he placed his palms on his face. His forehead was creased, and the look in his eyes felt desperate. 

"I don't know what to do anymore… all the bills that had yet to be paid… my daughter… fuck! Why is there so much problem?" Minjae cursed out loud. A surge of frustration and annoyance surfaced in his heart, yet the people around seemed to not care at all. 

"Fuck! Why are they too noisy?" 

Maybe it was because of frustration that Minjae felt his hands quivering slowly as they reached out for something on the table. It was a knife that he used to cut his food earlier. 

"Won't they keep their mouth shut?"

Minjae's frustration became evident on his face. 

'How come people get to enjoy life when I can't even smile right now?' Minjae's eyes squinted as he looked around, surveying everyon. 

How dare they ignore his feelings as if he was invincible? How dare the people around be happy? 

'No…' 

Minjae shook his head. 

He can't let that happen. 

If he was suffering, then the rest should too. 

No one should be happy! Everyone should feel miserable unlike him. 

'Yes. That's right.'

Minjae stood up from his chair as if he wasn't in his usual self. He held onto the knife in his hand tightly, his hands were even trembling.

In a swift move, Minjae went to the nearest girl he saw, and as if he didn't know what he was doing, he grabbed the woman and pointed the knife at her neck. 

With how everything quickly went, the people in the restaurant erupted in chaos.

The extras did an amazing job of letting out panic emotions.

The people near the girl screamed and scrambled away, knocking over chairs and tables in their frantic attempt to go far away from Minjae. On the other hand, the people who were far away sat still in their chairs as if frozen.

The sound of loud and panicked voices filled the air, burying Minjae's heavy, uneven breathing. 

"Don't move!" Minjae shouted, his voice breaking slightly.

"I… I don't want to hurt anyone, but if anyone comes closer, I'll do it!" His grip on the woman tightened, and she whimpered with tears streaming down her face.

The extras who were now huddled at a safe distance, stared in horror, their faces paled as Minjae brought the knife closer to the woman's neck.

"Now give me your valuables… or any money," Minjae uttered in a low and firm voice to the crying woman who had no choice but to follow his every word.

"P-Please... don't hurt me." The woman cried out. 

"I won't... just give me all your valuables." 

The cameras caught every second of the scene — the sweat glistening on Minjae's forehead, the trembling in his hand as he held the knife, and the sheer desperation etched into his face as he did the robbery.