Strings on a Shattered Heart

“Take care of me,” they say.
I hear it so often it’s practically ringing in my ears.
What’s the point?
The parties involved have no intention of getting caught on camera.
Looks like they’ll just quietly go about their business today too…

That was when PD Heo’s radar locked onto Min-ah, who was rubbing her bare arms so vigorously it looked almost exaggerated, and Yoo-hyun, who was approaching her.

“Huh…?”

PD Heo, whose schedule revolved around the lead actors’ filming, had secured mostly footage related to Yeon Se-jun and Min-ah.
For the first month, Yoo-hyun was often with the supporting cast rather than the main team.
They’d quickly film their necessary scenes and leave the set, making behind-the-scenes footage incredibly difficult to get.
As a result, aside from the promotional video shoots, today was practically the first time Yoo-hyun and Min-ah had been seen together on set.

From PD Heo’s perspective, the two leads, Min-ah and Yoo-hyun, didn’t seem particularly close.
If he had to put a label on it, they were like coworkers who maintained a clear, professional boundary.
Judging by how little they usually talked, they seemed to have zero personal connection.
When PD Heo learned that Min-ah was a fan of Yoo-hyun’s group, he’d secretly hoped for some playful, fan-idol chemistry.
But that hope had seemingly vanished into thin air – whether it was because they were playing a married couple or just initial shyness, he didn’t know.
He’d even clicked his tongue while reviewing footage of them being strictly business-like…

But now, one was shivering in the cold, and the other was quietly approaching with a blanket, unnoticed by anyone.
As if possessed, PD Heo started filming the two with his camera.

* * * *

Min-ah flinched at the feeling of something draping over her shoulder, but her face immediately lit up.
“Oh, what’s this… I’m touched.”
Aware of the nearby BTS camera, Min-ah looked straight into it and hams it up with a coy expression.

“Did you see that?
Han Jeong-un’s desperate attempt to win her favor?”

Yoo-hyun, unaware he was being filmed, widened his eyes briefly before quickly composing his expression and replying calmly.
“I have to make up for it somehow, considering what I did to Yoo-ri.”

“That’s right.
Jeong-un has lost his mind and is being so cold to Yoo-ri.
I’m going to get it all back.”

Beside Min-ah, who pretended to wipe away a tear, Yoo-hyun nodded, folding his hands politely as if in deep reflection.

Since actors often retreated to their cars to rest whenever they had a break, getting BTS footage wasn’t easy.
PD Heo was feeling a bit desperate.
“What scene were you just filming?” he asked urgently, hoping for an explanation.

Min-ah smiled and said, “What scene were we filming, Mr. Han Jeong-un?” smoothly handing the interview over to Yoo-hyun.

“This is the scene where Jeong-un gets rejected by Yoo-ri.”
“For the first time.”
“Yes, the first time.
On such a beautiful day, in such a beautiful place.
And to his fiancée, no less.”

Yoo-hyun glanced back and pointed towards the set where the lighting was being set up.
Despite the unsightly green chroma key screens set up against the walls, the large cherry tree – which must have been covered in soft pink blossoms in spring – and its surroundings were quite magnificent.
Even though the blossoms were long gone and it was just a bare tree shedding leaves, its grandeur was such that people could understand why the director insisted on this location.

Just as the BTS camera shifted its focus to the busy staff, a gust of wind sent leaves rustling down, and a nearby staff member, exclaiming “Oh dear, oh dear,” rushed over and frantically swept them away.
The scene unfolding like a comedy made the onlookers burst into laughter.
Min-ah, the first to stop laughing, added an extra explanation.

“It might look like that, but I heard the tree will all be CG.
Cherry trees turn all green after the blossoms fall, you know.”

“It needs to look like it’s transitioning into summer.”

“I know CG isn’t an easy task…”

“It’s a scene worth investing that much in, they say.”

“Yes.
It’s valuable.
It’s important.
If you pay attention to the time and season, you can understand Yoo-ri’s state of mind.
The season is currently on the cusp of summer.
But the time is night, and the wind is blowing.”

“It’s a spring breeze.”

“Yes, a spring breeze.
A late spring breeze, gently blowing.
That’s why Yoo-ri’s heart is fluttering and unsettled right now.
But just because you get briefly intoxicated by spring, doesn’t mean summer won’t come, does it?”

PD Heo sighed inwardly.
An interview this sincere. In a month.
He didn’t know the full story yet, but with a love triangle, it seemed like an intense romantic war was brewing.
However, Min-ah’s words risked spoilers, so they clearly couldn’t be used in the BTS videos uploaded right after each episode aired.
Autumn night, beautiful people, a blanket.
It was a shame, as he’d already formed an interesting idea around these elements.
I’ll have to make a special BTS feature.

Not wanting to waste this opportunity, PD Heo followed up, “You don’t look fluttered, you just look cold.”
Min-ah wittily replied, pretending to shiver dramatically.

“It’s autumn outside the camera, you see.
Look at that.
The wind blowing.
When the wind whooshes just once, that tree over there sheds its leaves in a flurry, as if it’s been waiting for it.
They keep falling, and it never ends.”

“There were quite a few NGs because of the fallen leaves.”

“Quite a few?
Honestly, the fallen leaves were responsible for all of today’s NGs.
Still, it’s amazing… the scene requires wind…
how did the director manage to pick a day with just the right wind…”

“I heard originally they planned to use a fan if there was no wind.
They probably had it ready.”

“Oh, really?”

Min-ah’s eyes widened as if hearing this for the first time.
Then it would have been better if there was no wind. No, wait, I’m wearing short sleeves. When the wind blows, it’s so cold…
Look at this, I’ve got goosebumps.
Min-ah voiced her small complaint, pulling one arm out from under the blanket and showing it to Yoo-hyun.

“I’m dressed like this so I’m not that cold, but noona, you look a bit cold.”

“Yeah.
I get cold easily, so I carry a cardigan around even in summer.
Yoo-hyun, aren’t you the type to get cold easily too?
You wear long sleeves even when it’s hot, right?”

“…Oh, yes.
How did you know?
Haha….”

PD Heo diligently captured Min-ah and Yoo-hyun.
The warm, friendly two-shot of them talking back and forth made his jaw drop in amazement.

“Ready for the take!” a booming voice echoed through the set, signaling that preparations were complete.

Min-ah passed by the BTS camera, declaring, “Last shoot. Fighting!” as she geared up.
Yoo-hyun followed suit, clenching his fist and saying “Fighting!” before they both headed off.

If the visuals are good, each BTS clip becomes a narrative, a piece of the puzzle…
And these two are surprisingly great together, aren’t they?
As he captured the two people under the tree immediately immersing themselves in the director’s cues, PD Heo began pondering new editing angles in his head.

* * * *

“Cut. OK.”

The long-awaited OK sign finally came, after everyone had been holding their breath.
Filming was finally over.
After fourteen long hours, it was time to go home.
Faces that had been gloomy at the thought of potentially going past midnight brightened, and a faint wave of joy spread.

“Didn’t you say you have a shoot tomorrow?”

“Yes, here.”

“Then I guess we’ll see each other at the next location shoot?
We barely have any scenes together, huh.”

“Ah, noona, this week you…”

Yoo-hyun trailed off.
Min-ah frowned, as if she had heard the omitted part.

The fact that Min-ah needed to leave the country for additional filming on a movie that wrapped last month had become a hot topic on the drama set.
News had broken that film issues required partial reshoots of some early overseas location scenes, but rumors were already rampant that this wasn’t the real reason.
The rumors said it wasn’t a film issue but a story change to completely write out Min-ah’s character.
And that the casting of ‘The One’ played a key role in this decision.
Consequently, the drama set maintained a hush-hush atmosphere regarding Min-ah’s reshoot schedule.

“Hmm, well…
So noona, you’ll have location filming right after you return to Korea?
That must be exhausting.”

“Well, it won’t be that tiring.
There aren’t many scenes.
I plan to rest for a day there while I’m at it.”

“Then that’s a relief…”

“Yeah.
Take good care of things while I’m gone.”

Min-ah, who was about to wave and turn away, tapped Yoo-hyun’s shoulder as if something just occurred to her.
Thanks for the blanket earlier.

Yoo-hyun watched Min-ah walk away for a moment before turning in the direction he had been heading.
It was a place he’d have to return to tomorrow morning, but the fact that he was going home made his steps light.

“Yoo-hyun-ssi.”

“Director.”

“Are you busy?”

Yoo-hyun smiled awkwardly, unable to answer either yes or no.
The director, seemingly unconcerned with Yoo-hyun’s actual circumstances from the start, flipped through the script.
Yoo-hyun’s eyes fixed on the fluttering pages as he cautiously opened his mouth.

“Director, was there a problem with today’s filming…?”

At that, the director took a deep breath as if he had much to say and lifted his head.
But upon actually meeting Yoo-hyun’s expression, the director firmly clamped his lips shut.

“Director?”

“Ah, Yoo-hyun-ssi, you said you’ve been busy lately, right?
Because of… an advertisement or something?”

“No.
I’m not busy, I’ve been free for a while, just a little less free this past month…”

“Hmm, yes.
People like Yoo-hyun-ssi, when there’s no work, there’s absolutely none, but when they’re busy, they’re crazily busy.
Hmm.”

“I’m fine now.
The busy period is almost over.
Was there something you wanted to say…?”

The director clicked his tongue lightly, slammed the script shut, and shook his head as if nothing was the matter.

“…Yes?”

“No, just go in.
Get plenty of rest today and see you tomorrow.”

It was a gaze that somehow seemed pitying.
Yoo-hyun tried to muster his remaining energy, but the director’s eyes appeared utterly unsuitable for handling anyone’s advice or counsel.
The director waved his hand dismissively as if telling him to get lost.
Yoo-hyun bowed his head, his face visibly tense.

“Well then… yes.
Thank you for your hard work today, Director.
See you tomorrow.”

Though he knew the director’s original business wasn’t such a kind farewell, Yoo-hyun decided to pretend not to notice and head home.
There was definitely something he wanted to hear, but there was just as much filming tomorrow as there had been today.
No need to push it.

Yoo-hyun left the director behind and quickly exited the filming set.
Along the way, he didn’t forget to exchange words of encouragement with the staff and actors he passed, acknowledging each other’s hard work for the day.