* * *

“That’s right, senior Soo-jung.”

“Soo-jung unnie really cares about Kongja.”

“Ah, that kick! Soo-jung-sunbae’s body is a human weapon.”

“I don’t know. If this cute Kongja calls his mom and says, ‘Mom, a hyung said I’m getting by too easily!’ then…”

Kim Eun-joo smiled brightly and made a slicing motion across her neck.

“Aack!”

Kim Eun-joo removed her hands from my ears and said,

“Just apologize to Kongja.”

But Ki Cheo-woon shook his head even though he turned pale.

“No, I won’t. Because it’s the truth. He is getting by too easily.”

Well, that’s true.

But still.

‘Not about my acting, you jerk!’

You should at least try working with me before you diss me.

Ki Cheo-woon warned,

“Hey, you’re Kongja, right? If you tell your mom, I’ll get you in trouble.”

I sighed deeply.

“Hyung.”

“What?”

“You’re being childish.”

I turned around. Kim Eun-joo laughed out loud seeing me.

“Hahaha! As expected, Soo-jung’s son!”

“Hey! What do you mean? Eun-joo, stop laughing!”

“Okay, Kongja. Let’s leave the childish hyung alone and just play with me. Aww, so cute. Are you sulking? Your cheeks are so chubby.”

Ah, it’s obvious on my face.

‘Ki Cheo-woon, you jerk.’

Just wait and see!

As I fumed, Kim Eun-joo took me somewhere else. She patted my shoulder when we were alone.

“Aww. Your face is red.”

“I’m mad!”

“Of course, Kongja. Let’s contact your mom quickly! Just tell her that hyung was rude to you.”

I shook my head.

“No!”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to worry mom.”

Why would I bother my mom with something like this?

‘She needs to focus on acting, not be distracted by trivial matters like this.’

And well.

‘I can understand getting such evaluations for now.’

Until my acting is recognized, such comments are expected.

‘It’s only been a short time since my movie was released…’

Honestly, I couldn’t say I gave a performance worth recognizing in ‘When the Wind Touches.’

‘To make an impression on the public, I need to do something memorable.’

Honestly, it’s understandable for now.

Kim Eun-joo covered her mouth and sighed.

“Oh?”

“So, noona, please keep it a secret!”

“Uh…”

Kim Eun-joo blinked.

“Kongja will handle it!”

“Oh, oh?”

“I can do it!”

Besides, it’s just a matter of time.

‘There’s no way I can’t act.’

I’m the famous supporting actor, Hanjoo!

I gritted my teeth. Ki Cheo-woon, you jerk!

‘I’ll make you regret it.’

When I say I’ll do it, I’ll do it.

Kim Eun-joo looked at me and murmured.

“Wow, you really resemble Soo-jung.”

Oh.

“This is interesting. How can this be, Kongja?”

Kim Eun-joo hugged me.

“Noona will keep it a secret! But if it gets too hard for you, I’ll tell Soo-jung, okay?”

Wow.

Kim Eun-joo, you’re a better person than I thought.

“At first, I just thought I’d be nice to you because you’re Soo-jung’s son, but that’s not it.”

Kim Eun-joo patted my back and said cheerfully.

“I’m looking forward to working with you! I like your spirit!”

Well then.

I’ll have to live up to those expectations.

“Please take care of me!”

“Sure, me too.”

Kim Eun-joo stood up and took my hand.

“Shall we go for the shoot?”

“Yes!”

I looked at the camera.

‘I’ll definitely get recognized for this project!’

Just you wait, Ki Cheo-woon. I’ll make you regret it.

I grinned. My heart was pounding.

* * *

The first scene we shot today was me running. It was filmed from a medium shot and a full shot as I looked around and explored the market.

‘Honestly, it’s easy.’

Of course, I had to show an expression of amazement.

‘It’ll be annoying if we get multiple NGs because of others.’

So, I nailed it on the first take.

And now, it was time for the second scene.

‘The merchant shoves me and says he won’t sell to a kid without a father.’

An extra with a beard makeup looked at me, puzzled.

“Can I really push such a small kid?”

I smiled brightly.

“It’s okay! We’ve put something soft on the floor.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, but thinking about pushing you makes me feel uneasy.”

The assistant director spoke up.

“Remember to push gently, alright?”

“Of course.”

“Hey, Kongja. You also need to fall gently to the floor, okay?”

Huh. That’ll look sloppy.

‘If I fall hard, the viewers will feel more sympathetic.’

It was then that Ki Cheo-woon, who had been watching, interrupted.

“Well, it’s a problem if he gets hurt. He is Soo-jung’s son, after all.”

Why do you have to cause trouble?

The assistant director shook his head.

“Cheo-woon, that’s not it. He’s a child actor. And he’s so young. Should we just cut the scene? Maybe just a light shoulder push instead?”

Oh no.

“No, that won’t do!”

The assistant director looked at me. I shook my head.

“Kongja can do it! I’ll fall lightly!”

It won’t be just a fall.

‘I’ll deliver a perfect emotional performance.’

I smiled at Ki Cheo-woon.

‘Watch closely, you punk.’

The assistant director scratched his head.

“Uh, okay?”

“Yes!”

“Should I listen to this kid or not?”

“I’m ready!”

“Huh?”

Thanks to the script being released early, Deok-soo had already taught me how to break my fall for this scene.

‘I’ve mastered it.’

Even though I already knew how to do it.

I smiled brightly.

“I practiced falling! It’s okay!”

“Oh? Really?”

The assistant director sighed.

“Alright, but if you feel dizzy or anything after falling, say so immediately, okay?”

“Yes!”

“Oh dear, I’m worried.”

The assistant director scratched his head again and returned to his spot.

I loosened up my muscles thoroughly. Although, as a kid, I didn’t really have stiff muscles.

‘They underestimate kids too much.’

At this age, falling is part of daily life.

‘Though, hitting your head is a big problem.’

I gauged the direction of the camera.

‘Hmm, this spot should be good.’

I checked the place where I’d fall.

“Alright, let’s start.”

The extra stood in front of me. Judging by his expression, he was still worried.

“Stand by, cue!”

I looked at the extra with frightened eyes.

“A kid without a father dares to mock our child!”

A thick palm pushed my shoulder.

‘Uh-oh….’

There wasn’t enough force. I’d have to fall on my own.

‘This kind of thing is hard without experience.’

But I could do it.

I immediately threw myself to the ground.

Thud-

I didn’t forget to disperse my weight with my palms.

I bit my lip while looking at the camera lens. Of course, I made sure to convey sadness in my eyes.

At that moment, I heard the long-awaited sound.

“Okay! Cut!”

PD Son Youngjae smiled.

“Wow, that was perfect!”

Of course.

The extra hurriedly helped me up from the ground.

“Kid, are you alright?”

“I’m fine!”

It was actually a problem because there wasn’t enough force.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

I looked down at my hand. It stung a bit even though I dispersed my weight.

‘Just a little tingle.’

I smiled brightly. The extra still seemed worried.

“Really, I’m fine!”

“Phew, that’s a relief. Well done, kid.”

“You too!”

I smiled and turned my head. I wanted to see the scene I had just filmed.

At that moment, Ki Cheo-woon grabbed my hand to check it.

“Look at this. You’re lying. Do you see this redness?”

What’s his problem?

“The breakfall was good, but you’re bleeding.”

Huh?

‘I didn’t notice that.’

I opened and closed my fist. It felt slightly sore.

I glanced at my palm and saw a bit of blood.

‘Maybe it got scraped.’

It was no big deal. I looked at Ki Cheo-woon and said,

“I didn’t notice!”

“What?”

“You don’t really feel it when you’re standing there.”

Maybe others didn’t, but I did.

I was so focused on acting that I didn’t feel the pain.

‘So many times I’ve gone home and groaned after the adrenaline wore off.’

Ki Cheo-woon looked at my palm and said,

“You’re not crying?”

What’s he talking about?

“If you’re hurt, you should be bawling.”

What’s with this guy?

“Strange. If you got in because of connections, you should be whining.”

What the heck is this.

Ki Cheo-woon looked down at me and said,

“What’s your deal?”

I wanted to ask him the same thing.

‘Why do you keep causing trouble?’

* * *