Chapter : 25
I could easily guess why Hae-in wanted to do it as a monologue. Even so, Lee-hyuk couldn’t leave her alone in this tense moment, so he came over, even skipping his own schedule.
“And if you’re caught on camera too, there will be bad rumors. You’re a judge, after all.”
Hyeok couldn’t hide his smile at Hae-in’s purely concerned expression.
“I know, I know what you’re worried about. First, I won’t say a word—I’ll just guide your emotions. There’s a huge difference between having someone opposite you and not. I’ll also talk to the director and frame it so that only my back shows. That way, there won’t be any gossip about a judge helping out. Okay?”
Hae-in looked at Hyeok, unable to feel anything but affection.
“PD, all 70 profiles have been updated.”
PD Kang of JBN hurriedly clicked on the homepage at the assistant writer’s words. Before the series aired on OTT, JBN had exclusive distribution rights, and as the lead PD, he was in charge of the audition.
“What about Seo Do-jun?”
He clicked on the [The One: Actresses] tab on the JBN homepage, speaking the name aloud as he searched. He had already heard about a minor friction between the cinematographer and Seo Do-jun on the first day of shooting, when he wasn’t around.
“Since then, nothing. He hasn’t interfered, and it seems he’s busy with Yoon Hae-in’s schedule anyway.”
“Damn kid…”
PD Kang muttered to himself, then looked at the open homepage again. His eyes widened.
“…What? Why are the rankings like this?”
The assistant writer approached silently, staring at the monitor. Two hours had passed since the pre-voting opened, and she too was shocked by the unexpected ranking.
“I thought Han So-in or Do Do-kyung would start in first place?”
But Yoon Hae-in was overwhelmingly in first. A mid-to-newcomer appearing after five years. An actor criticized as unable to work after <Hypnosis>.
“PD, this profile photo looks like it’s by Park Tae-young…”
“What? Park Tae-young?”
At the name, the PD who had gone for coffee dashed back to the monitor.
“Park Tae-young, huh. Haha, this is getting interesting. With Tae-young involved, even their followers will pay attention. But Han So-in, Do Do-kyung, even Baek So-ra—none of them chose her, and they went with Hae-in?”
The director examined Hae-in’s photo carefully.
Her expression in the water, her neck wrapped and staring into the camera, was both dreamy and strange. Her eyes, seemingly about to fade under fear, were oddly captivating.
The black dress symbolized death in harmony with her expression, but the single beam of light descending through the void seemed to represent life.
And even underwater, her expression was as clear as if it were taken above water, as if she were truly facing them.
“Wow, this will be fun.”
A smile escaped him. He had intended to rank Han So-in, Do Do-kyung, or at least Baek So-ra at the top and make Hae-in a supporting act. But this was shaping up to be more interesting than he had imagined.
“Mm, ah. Ah—”
Hae-in moved her facial muscles repeatedly, finishing her makeup. Ten minutes before shooting, she decided not to think about whether she could do it.
“Hey, you’re first in real-time votes.”
“It’s only been open two hours. Don’t get carried away. Are you trying to kill me? Or… try to kill me? Ah, my pronunciation’s getting sloppy.”
She repeated the same lines while looking at the script, but still felt something was lacking.
Hong-seol: (looking at Officer Baek) “Why…? Did you come to see if I’m human? Or are you going to kill me? If you kill me! If you kill me, will those kids come back alive?” (Seol pauses for a breath, then speaks as if exhaling. Through the intensifying rain, her voice sounds like a monologue) “My family is dead. That little spark… it was extinguished right before my eyes…! (Seol closes her eyes) No one! No one cared about that death, and now you need me? Do you think I… will tell you?”
Hae-in focused on her lines, while Gayoung, unable to put down her phone, stayed beside her.
Though she had memorized the lines perfectly in her head, the emotion shifted completely depending on how she used her energy.
“Shooting setup complete! We’ll roll in five minutes!”
As soon as the staff finished speaking, Hae-in stood up. Gayoung carrying the makeup kit followed, and Jia, with a large bag, trailed behind.
It was time to start again.
The set recreated <Hypnosis> from five years ago. The half-collapsed thatched house, the red flag in front, even the drizzle from the water truck—all exactly as before.
It felt like meeting her younger self, full of dreams and passion. Hae-in lifted her hand to catch the water falling from the truck.
“The PD really cared. It’s exactly like the movie.”
The director spoke, equally impressed. From just the set, it was clear how much Seo Do-jun had put into it.
Even though this was just the first mission, Hae-in felt his promise to help her wasn’t a lie.
“Yoon Hae-in! Ready?”
Hyeok entered the set wearing a student militia uniform, fully made up. Seeing him made even the slight tension in her stomach vanish.
“You’re not charging me for the makeup, right?”
“Haha. Not planning to. But I do plan on getting some beef. Beef, okay?”
“Yoon Hae-in! After clean-up, tteokbokki?”
“Deal!”
At twenty, the memory flashed vividly. Hae-in closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself. She would start just like her younger self, full of dreams.
“Hae-in, when you’re ready, tell me. Officer Baek is in front, and you can start with Hong-seol’s monologue.”
Hae-in nodded slightly and opened her eyes. Taking that as a cue, the director announced the start loudly.
“Action!”
“Rolling!”
“Rolling!”
Though there was only one scene, everyone prepared sincerely. The staff present took turns signaling, and soon, silence fell over the set.
Hong-seol slowly lifted her head to face Officer Baek. Her eyes were filled with emptiness, helplessness, and resentment.
Rain fell on Seol’s face. The red flag in front of the thatched house swayed as if enveloping her.
“Why…? Did you come to see if I’m human? If I’m not, if I’m not, are you going to kill me?”
She stared at Officer Baek, on the verge of tears.
The script had changed slightly from the first draft, but the director silently focused on her emotional shifts.
It’s normal for actors to adjust lines according to the situation, as long as it connects to the next line.
“If you kill me? If you kill me, will those kids come back alive?”
Rain covered Seol’s shoulders. Officer Baek looked at her, his eyes reflecting a complicated, unreadable emotion.
The rain intensified. Seol’s voice echoed, tinged with a sigh.
“…My family is dead…”
Uttering the words, her breath caught. The next words couldn’t come out. Hong-seol had suddenly become Yoon Hae-in.
Knowing why Hae-in couldn’t continue, Hyeok waited silently.
“…My family is dead… ha.”
“Cut!”
As soon as the director called, Jia ran over and draped a thick blanket over Hae-in’s shoulders.
