* * *

‘Did Yiyoon have a scene like this?’

As soon as they arrived at the set, the assistant director approached.

“Kongja, we’re going to add a few scenes. Don’t worry. You just have to walk from there to there.”

Deok-soo craned his neck to check the filming location.

“It’s a flower path.”

Oh, so he just had to walk between the flowers.

‘It’s really nothing special.’

The assistant director pressed his tired eyes and said,

“Is that okay?”

“Yes!”

“Oh, how cute. The local government only allowed us to film today, so we have to shoot everything. The moment the PD saw this, he said it would look great with Kongja walking through it.”

Aha.

‘This scene wasn’t in the script.’

Well, more screen time is good.

“If Kongja gets tired, we can cut it.”

Wow, they were really considerate.

“Kongja is fine!”

“Really? Then let’s shoot quickly!”

“Yes!”

I stretched my neck to see the filming location. The path full of unknown flowers was quite beautiful.
Deok-soo adjusted the cap I was wearing as part of the costume and said,

“You look excited.”

“I am excited!”

“Do you like filming, Kongja?”

Is ‘like’ even enough to describe it?

‘My heart is racing.’

Deok-soo, when someone loves something too much, they lose track of time.
Acting was always like that for me.

‘I always enjoy it.’

Why do I love becoming someone else so much? Even if I lived life twice, I wouldn’t know.
So, in this life, I’ll only pursue leading roles.

I told Deok-soo,

“I want to act for my whole life.”

“Really.”

“My dream is to become a veteran actor!”

And to be respected too, if possible.

A staff member waved me over.

“Kongja, come on over!”

“Be careful and do well.”

“Yes!”

I ran to the filming site. The staff smiled as they watched me.

“Here comes our vitamin.”

Wow, what a refreshing expression.

“Kongja, I heard the movie did well?”

Oh, did it? The coin has risen quite a bit.

‘How many weeks has it been since the release?’

Without a smartphone or TV, I couldn’t tell.

“It’s passed six million now.”

Wow.

‘The movie that was supposed to flop is a success!’

I grinned.

“Hehe!”

“Why tell that to a kid?”

“Why not? He’s smiling. Seriously, Kongja is so cute. Just looking at him makes me happy.”

“The screen wouldn’t be so bright without Kongja.”

Hehe. Is that so?

‘I always love compliments.’

Please, give me more, staff members.

At that moment, PD Son Youngjae said,

“Let’s keep our eyes on him.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Yes.”

Huh?

“Is something wrong?”

When I tilted my head, everyone avoided my gaze.

‘Why aren’t they saying anything?’

I looked for Deok-soo. Sure enough, he was listening to something from the staff without taking his eyes off me.

‘Was there a weird person here?’

PD Son Youngjae shouted,

“Everyone knows, right? Don’t take your eyes off our vitamin.”

There must have been something.

‘Was there a crime warning or something?’

To such a little kid?

No way.

‘In all my past lives and this one, I’ve never made any enemies.’

The atmosphere was tense. Some staff members even fiddled with their rosaries.

‘What’s going on? This is serious.’

What’s happening? I want to know too. I’m curious.

Then, a staff member crossed himself and muttered,

“Fire, please don’t come. God, Buddha, the shaman said a child might get hurt on our set. I haven’t been to church in over thirty years, but please.”

Oh my.

“Did you go see a shaman or something?”

That’s all superstition, PD Son Youngjae.

“I have a rough idea of what you’re getting at.”

That shaman said that the youngest one at the shoot would get hurt today.
I tilted my head in confusion.

“Me?”

I looked around. This set was thoroughly prepared.

‘Maybe because I’m a kid, they’re protecting me a lot?’

I glanced at the staff who had been praying to various gods earlier. They were now busily preparing the lights.

‘Well, accidents can happen unexpectedly, but…’

For some reason, I didn’t think I’d get hurt.

‘Well, it’s just my intuition, though.’

I stood up from my seat.

‘My intuition is usually spot on.’

No matter what the shaman says, if we prepare thoroughly, we should be fine.

I stood in front of the camera. The assistant director spoke beside me.

“Kongja, you just need to walk from here to there and smile. Not too broadly! Just like in the movie!”

Aha.

“So, they want a subtle smile.”

Got it.

“Yes!”

The assistant director ran back and gave the okay sign. Soon, the awaited cue came.

“Ready, action!”

I walked slowly, smiling subtly like in the movie. The flowers swayed in the wind.

“Okay! Cut! Wow, that’s perfect.”

People gathered around the monitor.

“I want to see too.”

Deok-soo approached immediately. Holding his hand, I said,

“Kongja wants to see too.”

“The monitor?”

“Yes.”

Deok-soo took me to the monitor. Then PD Son Youngjae lifted me up.

“Kongja wants to see too?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, let’s take a look.”

I watched the monitor. I was walking slowly between the flowers in a hanbok.

“Wow, this face is amazing.”

How does just smiling produce such a scene?

Even though it’s my face, I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“So radiant.”

The video looked luxurious at a glance.

I knew because I’d been unattractive in a past life. I made up my mind immediately.

“This face must be preserved.”

No alcohol, no smoking, absolutely not.
Just as I clenched my fist with determination, someone behind me spoke.

“Wow, so pretty.”

“Right?”

“How will this kid grow up?”

Why are you curious about that? The answer is obvious.

“They’ll grow up well.”

With a mother’s love and money, comfortably.

“Hey, Cheo-woon, are you curious about that too?”

“Yes, PD. Honestly, with this look, their acting skills are already outshining most adult actors.”

“Exactly. The acting is incredible. I’ve never seen a kid this age act so well.”

“When they act, it feels like they’re performing with a veteran of over ten years. This little kid appears so grand.”

Just from seeing this?

I smiled. Honestly, the role of Yiyoon wasn’t that challenging.

“They’re a good child who wants to be filial to their mother.”

Honestly, there was no need for character analysis.

“I’d like to try more complex characters soon.”

Is it too much for a child actor?

“No, that’s a prejudice.”

There are plenty of complex characters for child actors.

“Kongja’ acting skills will become well-known.”

PD Son Youngjae patted my back as he spoke.

“It’s a pity. I wish Kongja could be in my next project too.”

“It was hard enough to get Kongja for this one.”

“That’s true, but I can’t help but want more. The camera captures such amazing scenes.”

PD Son Youngjae whispered to me.

“Kongja, promise me you’ll be in my next project too, okay?”

This guy.

I smiled brightly and said,

“PD!”

“Yes?”

“Don’t make promises lightly!”

Where are you trying to step in?

“Well, whether it’s easy or hard to cast me, I don’t really know, though.”

If it’s the latter, get in line.

PD Son Youngjae suddenly staggered.

“Oh, I got knocked down by Kongja.”

“A sharp kid.”

I smiled broadly and swung my legs. Ki Cheo-woon patted my head and spoke.

“Kongja.”

“Yes?”

“I think you’re good at acting, so I wanted to ask you.”

Don’t ask me. I’m just a kid.

“How can you act well?”

A very absurd question.

‘Why ask me?’

You should ask an acting coach or a veteran actor.

‘What should I say?’

* * *