Chapter 37: Life or Death? Really?

The short film “Sword” has officially started filming.

The set is located in the cedar forest of Wanju, Jeonbuk.

At the starting point, a number of people gathered in a small hut.

Actors dressed in costumes and crew members with their equipment had finally arrived, and the entire production team of “Sword” was assembled.

The change in atmosphere was particularly noticeable.

It was vastly different from the bleak morning atmosphere.

This was especially evident in the faces of the supporting actors, who had initially treated this shoot as just another high-paying gig.

Now, they were all visibly tense.

There were many reasons for this, but the primary ones were two actors.

The two pillars of Mystic Entertainment: Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il.

‘This is insane. Seo Yeon-ju! Kim Sun-il!’

‘I just relaxed, but now I’m nervous again…’

Everyone had considered Seo Yeon-ju as just a bait.

They thought of her as a lure to gather the supporting actors.

Even if it were true, they assumed she would leave the project.

After all, there was no real reason for her to stay.

But reality was very different.

Unlike the supporting actors, who had nothing to lose, Seo Yeon-ju, with her golden filmography, was someone who had to choose her projects carefully.

Yet, she had brought Kim Sun-il along with her.

They were shocked beyond belief.

It was then that Park Jun took out his phone.

He displayed something on the screen and showed it to everyone.

[Seo Yeon-ju & Kim Sun-il Join Park Jung-wook’s Film!]

[Isn’t it a rash decision to participate out of goodwill…?]

[‘Golden Filmography.’ Is this the beginning of a blemish?]

“The article about their joining just dropped. There’s no turning back now.”

He looked over the actors and crew.

As a director, the responsibility he bore was obviously immense.

His voice was very serious.

“As you all know, simply participating in my projects can be considered a sin. You’ve probably seen the countless negative articles related to me.”

Everyone quietly listened to his words.

“I know. I am a powerless director, and my career has been downhill. But you all still chose to join, despite knowing this. So, there’s one promise I will make.”

He removed his hat and bowed politely.

“I will give my all. I will take full responsibility and do whatever it takes to finish this project and submit it. Thank you all so much.”

The listeners clapped, and shortly after, the actors introduced themselves with a few words.

When it was Sua’s turn, she simply shook her head and skipped her turn, leaving Kim Sun-il as the last to speak.

“There’s no half-hearted effort. I will finish this.”

With his brief words, the introductions ended.

Park Jun looked at the supporting actors, who seemed different from before, as if he had mixed feelings.

He continued speaking with a complicated and subtle expression.

“We’ve booked the best hotel in Wanju. For exactly one week, we’ll be traveling between the hotel and the forest to shoot quickly and efficiently.

If any unavoidable issues arise, please let me know in advance so we can adjust the shooting order.”

After this, Park Jun suddenly turned his head.

“And as for the role of Wi Ji-hye, Sua…”

Park Jun, who was about to tell Sua something, hesitated.

The faces of the supporting actors, who had been filled with tension, suddenly became uneasy.

The reason was simple.

The lead roles: Teacher Wi Ji-hye played by Lee Sua.

The lead role: Student Ha Ryung played by Seo Yeon-ju.

The two of them had practiced their improvised acting for a minute, and the image of Lee Sua acting as Wi Ji-hye remained unforgettable.

It was nonsensical trash acting.

It was just shocking. The shock was so immense.

“…Hmm, Sua, just focus on the role you’re given. The first scene is with Son Ji-a, so get your makeup done with her, and we’ll start shooting the other scenes first.”

Sua quietly nodded, and the anxiety on the faces of the supporting actors grew even more.

The fact that Park Jun hurriedly wrapped up his words, as if stumbling over them, was a major reason for the growing unease.

“Alright! Let’s get started! I’m counting on all of you!”

“Yes! We’ll do our best!”

With Park Jun’s shout as a signal, the entire crew scattered in all directions.

Since the director had officially called the start, from this moment on, there would be no looking back.

However, there were those who couldn’t leave their spots.

They were the ten or so extras and supporting actors.

They waited for Lee Sua to enter the makeup room, and as soon as she disappeared, they rushed over.

Their destination was, of course, right in front of Park Jun.

Surrounding him, they shouted.

“Excuse me, director. What exactly is the role of Wi Ji-hye?”

“You saw her earlier, right? The acting was a bit strange.”

“Are we really going with this?”

“As far as I know, Wi Ji-hye is the most important role…”

“I thought she was a pro! I was completely fooled by her face!”

Each of them spoke urgently.

Until just this morning, the supporting actors hadn’t cared about the success of the project, but now the situation had changed drastically.

Now, they were all hoping for the success of the film with all their might.

The reason for this change? It was the trickle-down effect.

Originally, they had nothing to lose, so negative articles didn’t bother them.

But now Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il had joined, and if the movie succeeded, they would benefit as well.

It was a no-risk, high-return gamble.

Who would want to end their acting career as a supporting actor?

Naturally, they hoped for a good opportunity. They wanted a turnaround in their lives.

Unexpectedly, that opportunity came. It did come, but…

They soon faced a significant obstacle.

None other than Lee Sua, playing Wi Ji-hye.

Her improvised acting, even to their eyes, was hopeless.

“Director, if you could say something…”

“Yes, that’s right. We were all ready to give our best, but we’re feeling uneasy.”

Wi Ji-hye. A lead role with an importance that couldn’t even be compared to the supporting actors.

No matter how hard they tried, it wouldn’t matter if she faltered. When she wavered, the whole project would capsize.

But Park Jun slowly shook his head.

“Let’s each do our best at our assigned tasks.”

“No matter how well we do, if Wi Ji-hye falters…”

“I cast Wi Ji-hye myself.”

He said firmly.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. Until we see the footage on camera, we won’t know anything. Besides, acting is done by the actors. No matter how much I talk about it, will it change anything?”

At Park Jun’s words, the supporting actors no longer dared to ask questions.

But until they scattered, they continued to mumble and couldn’t erase the skeptical expressions on their faces.

After everyone had left, the cinematographer, who had been standing nearby, spoke.

“Director Park, about what you said, that you cast Sua after seeing her in person… But wasn’t it only the role of Ha Ryung that you saw in person?”

“…That’s right. I only saw the recorded footage of Wi Ji-hye’s acting.”

When Park Jun and Sua met at the café, Park Jun had seen the recording of Wi Ji-hye’s acting on Sua’s phone.

In fact, that was all Park Jun had confirmed.

“Only saw it on video and brought her in… Hmm…”

The cinematographer trailed off.

“…It was a bit of a ticking time bomb. The film set and the actual scene can be very different, and newcomers don’t have much practical experience. They hesitate often, in front of other actors or the camera.”

It was a common occurrence in the film industry, where something that looked like a shining gem would lose its luster as soon as it arrived on set.

It was as ordinary as the sun rising in the morning.

Idol actors, in particular, were often like this.

They may think they have plenty of experience in front of the camera and have perfected their acting, but once they step on set, they can’t hide the sense of alienation. It’s like wandering aimlessly, alone on an island.

Even Sua, despite being a newcomer, was just an ordinary person without any idol background.

Idols at least have experience on stage, but a regular person like her…

The cinematographer scratched his cheek.

“It seems like a bit more cross-checking was needed.”

“Hmm…”

But Park Jun, the director, was deep in thought.

Although he had only seen a small screen of Sua’s Wi Ji-hye acting, it was an acting performance that strangely instilled confidence.

It was something that declared it could overcome anything, whether it was real-life or not.

Therefore, the most confused person right now was Park Jun.

What was the emotion he felt back then? Had he overestimated Sua? Was she really just a good newcomer? Was it normal for a newcomer to show hesitation on set?

But then, he shook his head.

In fact, what had mattered most to him back then was something else.

“I know well that the role of Wi Ji-hye is the most important role in this film, and I should have been more meticulous in casting. But back then, I just didn’t feel like doing that.”

“Why?”

“Sua was the only one who acknowledged my work.”

“Ah.”

The cinematographer opened his mouth belatedly.

“My work, which everyone else had neglected. This project that everyone had tried to control. The only one who approached it with pure affection was Sua. She even brought Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il with her, and secured production funds. What right did I have to be picky?”

“That’s true…”

“Even if Sua falters on set, I can’t bring myself to cut her out. This is Sua’s film from the start.”

Park Jun’s tone became increasingly firm.

As he spoke, it was as if he was reinforcing his own resolve.

“Mm….”

The cinematographer had something to say, but he simply kept silent.

In fact, he had been thinking, “Wouldn’t it be best to stop now, since Lee Sua has shown her limitations?” But when he saw Park Jun’s face, he could not bring himself to say it.

Park Jun’s face was already one that had become indifferent to public evaluation.

However, he was fully prepared to run for the person who had believed in a project even he himself had given up on.

His attitude, burdened with responsibility, was proof of that.

The cinematographer shook his head.

“…This is difficult. Really difficult.”

If they pushed forward, it would be the right thing for the director to do as far as responsibility was concerned, but the success of the film couldn’t be guaranteed.

Even the involvement of Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Sun-il would leave a large mark on their filmographies.

But even stopping here would be problematic.

It would be the safe choice, but Director Park would live his whole life with the guilt of abandoning the person who had trusted in his work.

The guilt of not completing it, betraying the trust of someone who believed in his project.

Then, the voice suddenly interrupted.

“Are you two free?”

It was Kim Sun-il.

The cinematographer asked in disbelief.

“…Free? My head feels like it’s about to explode.”

“Well, I don’t know.”

Kim Sun-il quietly crossed his arms.

“From what I hear, it sounds like a waste of time.”

He motioned with his chin toward something in the distance.

It was toward Sua, who had just walked out of the makeup tent, looking somehow different.