* * *
Na Kang-in positioned the actors he would be fighting all around the café.
Son Tae-min had completely rewritten this scene. A simple verbal argument had turned into an intense brawl.
Na Kang-in was only responsible for the fight scenes. The acting before and after was up to the lead actor, Kim Yoo-chan.
The initial part had already been filmed. Na Kang-in put on his mask and sunglasses and spoke to his fellow actors.
“Think of me as your real enemy and attack. I’ll handle the rest.”
He had said the same thing yesterday. The actor who first confronted him on the Gangwon-do set didn’t take him seriously and went easy with his punches, only to be countered immediately.
But today was different. The actors had seen Na Kang-in rescue Shin Eun-ha from a collapsing set and stop a speeding car to catch a kidnapper.
No one was worried about Na Kang-in getting hurt now.
The AI assistant spoke.
[Initiating close combat training mode.]
Na Kang-in said,
“Let’s start.”
The actors rushed at him without hesitation.
The AI proposed several virtual movement paths through his AR lenses. Routes and attack methods were projected into the air.
Na Kang-in chose one path and moved.
He deflected the punch of an attacking actor, swept his leg out from under him, flipped his body, and threw him aside.
“Ugh!”
The actor cried out in surprise as he flew out of the camera’s frame.
Another actor aimed a sharp kick at Na Kang-in’s face.
Na Kang-in subtly lowered his stance. The high kick sailed over his head. He tapped the actor’s standing leg, causing him to lose balance.
Na Kang-in caught the falling actor and spun him around.
To the camera, it looked like the actor had been slammed to the ground. In reality, he wasn’t hurt at all.
The final opponent had some boxing experience. He guarded his face with his fists and moved forward cautiously.
Na Kang-in moved in just as his opponent’s foot left the ground.
The actor instinctively threw a punch. Na Kang-in dodged it lightly and pushed him with his shoulder.
On camera, it looked like Na Kang-in had struck the actor with his shoulder, sending him flying.
Now, all his opponents were defeated.
Inside the café, Shin Eun-ha was standing. Na Kang-in walked toward her. She stared at him with shining eyes.
That was the end of Na Kang-in’s role.
Director Son Tae-min shouted.
“Cut! Switch!”
Na Kang-in stepped back. The lead actor, Kim Yoo-chan, dressed identically, took his place.
Kim Yoo-chan removed his sunglasses and mask in front of Shin Eun-ha and said,
“Looks like they haven’t given up? Neither will I.”
His deep voice was impressive.
However, Shin Eun-ha’s eyes didn’t sparkle as much as before.
Son Tae-min noticed the change in her expression.
The actors finished their scene. Son Tae-min shouted.
“Cut! We’ll keep this take, but the look in her eyes was a bit off… Let’s do that part again since we have some time.”
Even on the retake, the twinkling look in her eyes didn’t return.
Son Tae-min pondered for a moment before speaking to Na Kang-in.
“Kang-in, how about we reshoot this scene from the start?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Na Kang-in replied, pointing to the actors he had fought with.
“As I mentioned yesterday, capturing the scene in one take without rehearsals makes it feel more genuine.”
The AI agent spoke up.
[You chose the easiest action I suggested. If you choose another action, you can shoot a better video.]
“Shh.”
[Agent, you’re taking the easy way out.]
Son Tae-min gave up on his hesitation.
“Alright, let’s go with it as it is.”
He calculated the time saved from the quick action scene shoot.
“If you continue working like this, Kang-in, we’ll have more time for other scenes or for editing. If this movie does well, I won’t forget how much I owe you.”
Na Kang-in also had the revised script and shooting schedule. He asked, “So, my role is done for today, right?”
“Of course. The next action scene is tomorrow. Oh, would you like to have lunch with me at a place nearby? Thanks to you, we have the time to enjoy a meal.”
Na Kang-in declined.
“I have to cook t the PC bang for lunch today.”
“What? Why are you still doing that job?”
“That’s my main job.”
“Why is that your main job…?”
Shin Eun-ha approached, smiling softly.
“Kang-in, you’re done shooting today, right? I’m done too, so let me treat you to lunch. I know a really good place nearby.”
Na Kang-in replied, “It’s fine.”
“Come on, don’t worry about it. I might not be the lead actor, but I can at least buy you lunch.”
Son Tae-min interjected, “I know the place she’s talking about, but I already suggested it.”
“Oh, you had plans with the director? Can I join you guys then?”
“No, like you, I was turned down.”
“What?”
“Kang-in said he has to go cook.”
Shin Eun-ha looked around in confusion. “Where? There’s no food truck today.”
“At the PC bang.”
She blinked her large eyes, finally understanding. She touched her forehead with a finger and asked, “Wait, Kang-in really works part-time cooking at a PC bang?”
“Really.”
“Why would someone as talented as Kang-in do that?”
Son Tae-min looked at Na Kang-in.
“I’m curious about that too.”
Na Kang-in replied, “Are you guys belittling someone’s precious job?”
Shin Eun-ha quickly waved her hands.
“No, it’s not like that! Where is this PC bang? I want to go too!”
Now it was Na Kang-in’s turn to be flustered.
“What?”
“I’m done filming for today too.”
As the director, Son Tae-min couldn’t leave the set. Shin Eun-ha smiled broadly and suggested to Na Kang-in, “Let’s take my car.”
Shin Eun-ha’s car was a white foreign sedan. The cafe they used as a filming location that morning was in Seoul. Since she only had one fight scene to shoot in the morning, she didn’t need a separate waiting area, so she had driven herself without her manager, planning to have lunch with Na Kang-in.
She drove, smiling to herself.
‘Everything’s going according to plan….’
Then she realized the current situation.
‘Wait, no. According to the plan, we should be going to a nice restaurant, not a PC bang….’
The PC bang where Na Kang-in worked wasn’t far from the filming location.
As she drove, she said, “Oh, my parents live in this neighborhood. I lived here until I moved out on my own. Do you live around here too, Kang-in?”
“I don’t have a home.”
“What?”
She thought he was joking.
They parked in the building’s lot and went inside.
The PC bang was manned by the owner’s niece, Cha Eun-seo.
Part-time night worker Yoon Ah-reum and college student hacker Ahn Sung-hwan were also there.
They came just to eat because they heard Na Kang-in was making lunch.
The three from the PC bang were surprised to see Na Kang-in walk in with a slender young woman.
“Huh? What?”
“He brought a girl. Wow, she’s really pretty. He’s got skills.”
Cha Eun-seo was the first to regain her composure.
“Kang-in, who is she….”
Yoon Ah-reum’s eyes widened.
“Wait! Is she your girlfriend?”
Ahn Sung-hwan grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
“Respect, man!”
Shin Eun-ha lowered her sunglasses slightly and called out, “Eun-seo, long time no see?”
Cha Eun-seo’s eyes grew wide. “What? Eun-ha? Why are you here?”
“Why are you here?”
“My uncle owns this PC bang.”
Shin Eun-ha tilted her head.
“Why does your uncle run a PC bang?”
“He lost his job when his company went under.”
“Oh, right. That company did go under.”
Beside them, Yoon Ah-reum blushed with excitement.
“Wow, a celebrity.”
Shin Eun-ha smiled.
“Is this your first time seeing one?”
“Yes! It is!”
“Oh, I see.”
Ahn Sung-hwan raised his arms and made a big heart.
“Noona! I love you! Hug me!”
“Get lost.”
“Okay!”
Yoon Ah-reum asked Cha Eun-seo, “Eun-seo, are you really close with a celebrity? Wow, I didn’t know you were such a big deal!”
Cha Eun-seo explained, “Eun-ha used to live in our neighborhood. The embarrassing things she did here are legendary….”
Shin Eun-ha quietly interrupted, “Eun-seo? Let’s stop there.”
* * *
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