Chapter 15….. What If I Appeared on TV (1)
“Did we talk everything over yesterday…?”
Climbing into the van, Kim Daesung hesitated for a moment, looking at Executive Director Park Yuchun, who was sitting in the driver’s seat with a serious expression.
“Uh… um… should we get going for now?”
“Did something go wrong?”
“No, it’s more like…”
Seeing Director Park with a face full of worry, Daesung’s curiosity got the better of him. He spoke, tilting his head.
“But why does your face look so serious?”
“I usually believe there’s no high or low in professions,” Park said, but his reaction wasn’t exactly straightforward.
Daesung, growing even more curious, pressed further.
“So… is there a problem? Is it because your face looks kind of… like a host club worker?”
“Not that. He said it’s a service industry, but I’m not sure if that’s really the case.”
“What is it?”
Park’s words made Daesung frown.
“He was… a beggar.”
“I’ve heard that before…”
“He used to be a real beggar, not some street performer or entertainer. Just… a beggar.”
For a moment, Daesung and Director Park fell silent. They didn’t know whether this would be problematic or if it was just surreal, leaving them speechless.
“Hmm…”
Park’s voice, heavy with complicated thoughts, lingered quietly in the van.
It’s heartwarming!
Not wanting anyone to lose energy, I ran over with cookies and lattes in hand, smiling.
“Here, eat.”
“…I should eat later with a proper meal.”
“They’ll clear out soon. You should eat while you can.”
“You know half the coffee truck’s sales come from Mr. Woosoo-han, right?”
“It’s mutual aid. Every time I go, he smiles. If you’re not going to eat now, just set it aside.”
I thought about how small acts of support help the circle of capital continue, especially when small business owners are struggling these days.
“I’ll take care of it myself, then.”
“I already did. My bag couldn’t hold any more anyway.”
You have to do it at times like this. It’d be wasteful to buy it for myself. Plus, it was my first time handling handmade treats.
“Hey, you!”
“Oh! Shall we go check the script?”
I’ve been happy coming to the filming site these days. They feed you, and if you spend a bit of time chatting and helping out, money comes in. It doesn’t come immediately, but somehow, hope accumulates. Also, the actors taking turns sending snacks or coffee trucks is a lovely tradition.
“Hmm…”
Above the coffee truck was a flat banner reading, “Supporting Senior Kim Daesung!” On either side were standees of our drama’s lead, Kim Daesung. Something like… a lighthouse? Whatever, it looked kind of silly, but the names of fellow actors were there too.
“So, friends really do this kind of thing for you.”
[Yeah. If I’d debuted, our action school crew would’ve done the same. That’s our tradition.]
“…Really? I’m a little jealous. You have people who do stuff for you.”
I’ve grown quite close to him recently. Maybe because I see him every time I come here. Even when filming masked scenes, his small advice was helpful. I wasn’t actually committing robbery, but it was awkward nonetheless.
[Is it tasty?]
“Want a bite?”
[Should I even set up a proper offering table?]
“Ha… you kid.”
His eyes sparkled. Ah, I shouldn’t keep softening. I glanced around and quietly extended my arms.
“I’ll help you out this time.”
[Huh?]
Welcome. It’s been a while for cookies and coffee, hasn’t it?
Still, he seemed conscientious and stopped after two cups of latte and five cookies.
[Thank you so much, hyung!]
“See? Don’t feel like you’ve reached enlightenment yet?”
[No, not that extreme.]
He smiled, and it seemed to genuinely make him happy. As darkness fell, my turn came. Then, from one side, a short scream and frantic voices reached us.
“What’s happening?”
[I’ll go!]
“All right.”
After giving him cookies, he moved around on his own. Is this what a manager does? It reminded me of the manager who gave me beef last time; these days, he gives a complicated smile whenever he sees me. Did he eat too much that day?
[It’s an accident!]
“What?”
[The stunt double for your action scene hurt their leg while climbing over a wall!]
“Oh… what should we do?”
So, what about today’s shoot?
At that moment, Gamdong ran to me.
“Woosoo-han!”
“Yeah? Are they badly hurt?”
“Uh… how did you know?”
“My manager… or rather, someone living here told me.”
“Oh… that…”
Suddenly, he stepped back, looking pale. Tch, how many times do I have to explain?
“You’re a good kid, you know?”
“Ugh, really!”
“So? Is it canceled today?”
“No, the director said he’ll come by. Seems like he wants to adjust some scenes.”
When the producer calls, you run immediately!
Director Kim Hyuncheol looked very troubled.
“Schedules are getting tighter… is there really no one else who can step in?”
“Ha… everyone’s busy, so today might be difficult…”
Martial arts director Hwang Gichan replied, and Kim sighed while staring at him.
“You used to be so agile…”
“Ugh. My knees are shot. I can’t do it.”
“I know. I’m frustrated. Is there any way to do this without a double?”
“Phew… not easily… we need to check with that guy first.”
“Director! Did you call?”
“Yes, Woosoo-han.”
“Yes! I’ll do anything!”
I like this. Unlike most actors these days, he runs over immediately and is willing to do anything when asked. Rare these days. Plus, he acts flawlessly, blending perfectly on camera. Actors like this are bound to succeed.
“You know how to move your body well?”
“My body? How should I move it? Just tell me, and I’ll keep going until I wear out!”
“Ha ha ha. Woosoo-han, you have great posture. The stunt double for the action scene… they had an accident.”
“Yep!”
“Want to try? It’s not a pre-prepared role, so we’ve been using a double as much as possible, but it’d be good if you can handle some parts yourself now.”
Director Kim grew a bit greedy at this opportunity.
“I’ll do it! Using my body is my specialty, and I can handle action too!”
“Ever done martial arts before…?”
At that moment, the martial arts director cautiously asked.
“Taekwondo, first-degree black belt.”
“Military experience…?”
“Yes!”
Could a guy who was once in a mental hospital go to the military? Even as a beggar? He was sent away as a child, but the doctor issued a note saying he was fine, and he was able to go. After high school equivalency and some effort, he even enlisted.
“…Anything else?”
The martial arts director’s distrust began to show.
“No, but I’m close to a street fighter!”
Hope faded on the martial arts director’s face.
“You… flexible?”
“Yes! I can split my legs fully!”
“That’s good. But these scenes involve fighting with swords… hmm, Director Kim, let’s try this: we’ll see if it works, and if not, we’ll rotate actors to cover the scene.”
A practical solution. Since it’s masked, the same actor can change costumes multiple times if needed.
“Just the full shots? We won’t get the shots we need. And everyone’s big—will it work? It might show.”
“If it doesn’t work, we’ll adjust.”
“I can do it!”
Director Kim placed hope in Woosoo-han’s bold answer, and the martial arts director nodded cautiously.
“Can you really do this?”
“Of course.”
“No, I didn’t interfere before because of the situation. I mean, the lie about being flexible would’ve been obvious…”
“How is it?”
“Huh? Flexible, right?”
“My limbs move this way too.”
One of my hidden skills. When I showed independent limb control, Gamdong’s eyes sparkled. It was like seeing something amazing.
“Tch. Did I catch you lying?”
“Not lying, but you do mix in your own unrealistic interpretations.”
“Tch! How dare you judge someone!”
“But seriously, why are you so flexible?”
I had to reveal another secret from my past.
“When you beg, sometimes you need to act awkwardly. Instead of looking uncomfortable, twisting your limbs makes it look more convincing.”
“…Huh.”
“Why the sigh?”
Gamdong looked at me with a wry expression.
“I hate that I understand this now.”
“Can’t you interpret it as us being closer?”
“Enough! Just don’t get hurt!”
Watching him walk away, I smiled with satisfaction.
“See? I’m looking out for you.”
[Yeah. But hyung, you’re really flexible. Your joint range is amazing.]
“Heh heh.”
[But will it really work? Action is different.]
“Think being a beggar is easy? It’s a jungle out there. No one ever messed with me. You get it?”
[Still, sword fighting is different.]
“…It’ll work?”
[…..]
No. I understood once I saw the martial arts director’s face deteriorating with each swing of my sword.
“This might be tough… at least for now.”
“I can do it!”
“You’ll get hurt.”
“Shut up?”
“You’ll get hurt!”
“Yes…”
Ah… feels like hitting a wall. If I can pull this off, it could boost my value a bit. I don’t want to give up. But… what to do?
“Above all, there’s no time. Maybe in another project. This one’s tough.”
“Can’t you just try once?”
“You’ll get hurt. Practice a bit more first. Only salvage what you can. Though, watching you handle a sword normally shows you’ve got some skills…”
Watching the martial arts director walk away, I spoke quietly.
“Not good?”
[No.]
This kid. Tch.
“Severe?”
[Not too bad. We simplified the choreography a bit, but it still seems hard. Plus, it’s a night scene.]
I couldn’t help but believe him—my manager… or rather, my action trainee ghost. At first, I didn’t believe “I want to be an action actor!” but after receiving tips, I realized he was serious.
[Jealous.]
“….”
[I can do it.]
“…Yeah, lucky you.”
[I want to try too.]
“….”
Ah, stupid me. I looked. Like a puppy trembling in a cardboard box, staring at me with drooping eyes. Still, some things just can’t be done. Looks like this is the ending shot. Usually, granting wishes like this leads to their “enlightenment.”
Is that bad? Not really. The problem is whether I could handle this task again if it came back to me after he’s gone. I’m good at imitating, but this is a different matter.
[Sorry. Just saying.]
He didn’t ask to try even once. Gamdong, I told you. He’s a good kid.
Damn. I spread my arms.
“Come on in! I’ll grant your wish. Life’s too short to worry!”
[Yeaaah!]
Damn. Might as well do a good deed once. Next time… hmm, maybe practice first, or just say today was lucky. Either way, it’s not a loss.
“Really impossible?”
“Not impossible, but it’d be tough.”
Kim Hyuncheol’s disappointed words met Hwang Gichan’s nod. Then Kim looked in a direction, puzzled.
Clang! Clang!
“What? Brought in a temp?”
“Huh? What?”
“There.”
The martial arts director looked toward the sound of clashing swords. The actors practicing the original choreography were there, but Woosoo-han—the one supposed to be rehearsing—was nowhere in sight.
Kim’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What the! Hey, Hwang Gichan! Was this a hidden camera? This is Midas’ touch!”
“Uh, what?”
Something impossible was happening in the direction Kim pointed.
