Cheating way through to Stardom chapter 56- Lee haejin’s confusion

Director Joo and I approached the camera immediately. Soon, the footage filmed by the director began to play on the screen.

The video was simple. It panned up the body of a barefoot boy from bottom to top.

“Wow, this is great.”

“Having him barefoot was a genius move.”

Why is being barefoot such a big deal?

I asked Director Joo.

“Is there some symbolic meaning to being barefoot?”

Director Joo grinned.

“It’s hugely symbolic.”

Is it because a dysfunctional family drama involves being barefoot?

“You don’t need to know the details, Dowon.”

But I feel like I need to know.

“There are things in the world you don’t need to know.”

Well, it’s not like I’m being scammed, so I guess it’s fine.

I nodded and walked over to the coordinator who called my name.

The next scene required a costume change.

I sighed as I changed into the outfit.

“It’s a school uniform.”

Maybe because it was a uniform for the video, it felt different from a regular school uniform.

The coordinator pinned the jacket and said,

“The director personally picked this out. It had to be this uniform.”

The stiff navy fabric was a bit bothersome.

‘Well, the stage outfits I’ll wear later will be more uncomfortable.’

I put on the uniform and walked out. As I headed to the set, I saw Lee Haejin.

I quietly stood near the director and watched her act.

‘It’s not a big deal of a scene.’

As she walked down the hallway, the camera followed her. But an OK sign didn’t come immediately.

“NG! Haejin, you need to be more careful. Right now, the sister-in-law is falling for the young master in the school uniform. It’s a poignant moment that you can’t look away from, even if you want to.”

This is a real mess.

‘It’s a good thing the Youth Protection Act hasn’t come into effect yet.’

In a few years, this kind of music video won’t even be imaginable.

“NG! Haejin, this isn’t working. Boy, stand in front of Haejin.”

What?

“If you’re right in front of her, she’ll be able to focus better! Stay there for five minutes. I’m going for a smoke.”

Director?

‘This doesn’t seem like a good idea.’

But it was a good opportunity to talk. I stood where I wouldn’t be seen by the camera but could be seen by her.

“You…”

Lee Haejin pointed at me.

“I’m not good at acting, so I don’t know much, but…”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I find it helpful to feel emotions similar to my character. Maybe you could try that too, Haejin?”

Lee Haejin’s face flushed. If it was because she liked the idea, that would be great, but she probably got angry.

“You think you’re so great because you’re a genius at acting!”

“I might have some talent, but I’m not a genius. I know that.”

Her expression changed. She looked at me with a slightly surprised face.

‘Did she misunderstand me?’

Did she think I was someone who flaunted their genius?

“What?”

She suddenly looked confused and ran her hand through her hair.

‘That’s a bit cute.’

I kept smiling as I spoke.

“How about now?”

“W-what?”

“Do you think you can empathize with the sister-in-law’s feelings for the music video now that some misunderstandings are cleared up?”

This is the problem with acting. Even if you’re playing an enemy, you have to treat them like a lover, but still, some real emotions get involved.

“You! How arrogant!”

At that moment,

“Standby! Sister-in-law, get ready!”

“Yes!”

As soon as the cue sign was given, Lee Haejin walked carefully with a nervous expression.

“Okay! Cut! Moving to the next scene.”

We did it.

Lee Haejin approached me with a sinister voice.

“You just wait.”

“It’s an honor.”

What is this?

‘Teasing the future Cannes star is kind of fun?’

Though her struggles and stumbles are only for now.

‘She’ll soar globally.’

I smiled as I turned around. The next scene was the one where the uniform comes off.

Though it’s just the jacket.

‘Even when I saw the cue sheet, I couldn’t understand why this scene is necessary.’

Plus, there were multiple cameras.

‘Really, this is beyond me.’

Where is this ridiculous music video headed?

I sighed deeply.

‘Well, I guess there are things in the world I shouldn’t know.’

It’s better not to know. Trust the company. They’ll handle it.

I shook my head. It felt ominously creepy.

***

After the baffling scene ended, I finally met my counterpart. It was the only scene in this absurd music video where we made eye contact.

‘Isn’t it about the sister-in-law bringing a snack to the young master who studies late?’

The snack was coffee filled with cream and cookies. When the cream got on my face, the sister-in-law wiped it off while smiling.

‘Does this have some symbolic meaning too?’

Plus, isn’t ramen and chicken the best for late-night snacks? What’s with the cream?

Don’t think about it. If you think about it, you lose.

‘Focus on the job. Finally, a decent scene.’

Maybe because we’d been filming so many weird scenes, this one felt precious.

‘Even after checking the cue sheet in advance, it still feels this way.’

I shook my head and sat at the desk. The director laughed and said,

“Good composition, good actors!”

“Make sure I look handsome.”

“Well, you’re still young. You’re handsome, but also a bit pretty?”

I couldn’t help but grimace. The laughter of the director and Director Joo echoed.

Soon, the standby signal was given. Lee Haejin brought the tray with the snack, and I happily received it. The two characters looked at each other, and the sister-in-law noticed the cream on the boy’s face.

She laughed and wiped the cream off. The boy, caught off guard, didn’t know what to do with her touch.

As I acted embarrassed and avoided eye contact, Lee Haejin laughed and patted my face more. Playing the shy boy, I couldn’t meet her eyes, and she eventually let go of my face and laughed.

“Cut!”

I and Haejin immediately ran to the director. The performance on the small screen looked quite good.

‘As expected of Cannes’s actress.’

The emotional line was well-maintained.

“Ha, Haejin Noona, you’re amazing.”

When I complimented her, her eyes widened.

“Th-That’s…”

Haejin stammered and sighed. Then she covered her mouth with her hand and whispered very quietly.

“Damn it…”

The director didn’t hear it, but I definitely did.

‘Why is she cursing?’

When I turned slightly, I saw Haejin’s face turning red.

‘What’s with her reaction?’

Haejin took a deep breath. Just as she was about to say something, Director Park spoke up.

“Thirty minutes break. The next scene is a kiss scene, so get ready.”

Ah, it’s already that scene.

“It’s the final scene.”

“Yeah. After that, Dowon, your scenes are all done.”

“I see.”

“I’m really looking forward to the final product. I think this might be my masterpiece.”

“It’s an honor.”

“You’re a cute one.”

Director Park turned around and started talking with Director Joo. My manager approached and motioned for me to eat something and brush my teeth quickly.

‘Oh, right, manners.’

It was my first kiss scene since my regression. I nodded obediently.

‘Mother always said, manners maketh man.’

Listening to mom was always a good idea.

***

Haejin had been in a state of continuous embarrassment today. Perhaps that’s why she couldn’t stay calm at all.

‘Damn it.’

She kept cursing inwardly. This music video was chaotic from casting to filming.

‘It was difficult to get this shot.’

It was an opportunity that came after circulating her profile countless times. But when she heard it was a music video for a debuting idol, she barely managed to suppress her deflated feelings.

The director had asked her as a favor.

“Haejin, please put in extra effort. Your counterpart is a 16-year-old boy. He’s just debuting, and his agency calls him a genius actor, but do you really think that’s true?”

When she asked which boy it was, they said he appeared in YUMI’s music video. She watched the video on her smartphone and clicked her tongue.

‘What’s this? His acting is just him keeping his eyes closed.’

He did act a little towards the end, but it was severely lacking.

‘This kid is my counterpart?’

Her pride, already wounded many times, was mixed with irritation.

‘Lucky him, meeting a good company and already getting the main role.’

This idol brat.

‘Do you really think you can handle such a delicate role?’

Unlike YUMI’s music video, this role required proper acting. The boy fit the visual aspect well, but that was all.

‘Damn it.’

Though she didn’t have much shooting experience herself, leading a rookie was tough. But she couldn’t refuse this rare chance to film.

She came to the set with determination.

‘But it was different.’

The boy was casually joking around upon arrival. The director, who didn’t seem to like the boy’s role, oddly softened at this demeanor.

‘It’s different when he talks to me!’

Just watch!

She thought the shoot would be full of NGs. But from the first scene, she realized her judgment was wrong.

‘He’s good.’

How can he be so natural?

The boy blended in like flowing water. His voice was clear, and he even had an air of ease.

‘I saw him checking the camera positions earlier.’

This brat perfectly grasped the movement lines.

‘Are all idols like this nowadays?’

Where do they learn this stuff?

Because of this, she was the one getting flustered. She couldn’t immerse herself in the emotions, and her expressions were off.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

It was when she bit her lip in anxiety. The boy, the cheeky brat, said:

– I have some talent, but I know I’m not a genius.

What?

The first thought that came to her mind was absurd.

‘No way! If he has this acting skill and is humble, that’s just unfair!’

The manager came over to watch directly, and why was he unnecessarily polite? He should be showing off! This is too much! A talented kid with plenty of opportunities!

The shoot continued, and they finally reached the physical interaction scene.

After shooting together, she realized more clearly.

‘He’s natural!’

And acting with him is comfortable.

Since he was matching her movements, she felt much more at ease. She admitted it herself. This kid was better than the senior actor from the drama troupe who had been difficult to work with.

“Damn it.”

Because of that, her true feelings slipped out. Seeing the boy’s widened eyes, Haejin hurriedly left the set.

“What the heck!”

Why did I curse? And why is he complimenting me!

She felt like a mess. Sitting in a secluded spot, she clutched her head in frustration. She felt like she was off-kilter from start to finish.

‘Haejin, you’re such an idiot!’

You misunderstood completely.

‘What should I do?’

Would he accept her apology? Oh, what have I done to a kid so much younger than me?

As she pounded her chest in frustration, she heard the boy’s voice following her.

“Are you okay?”

Haejin blinked. The boy’s delicate face came into view.

‘Seeing him again.’

He’s kind of pretty?

Haejin couldn’t say anything. She should apologize immediately, but her voice wouldn’t come out.

“My head hurts a bit.”

“I’ll get you some medicine.”

“Huh?”

Why is he even worrying about me?

Haejin rubbed her face. She sighed deeply.

“Wait, a moment.”

The boy turned around. Haejin whispered quietly.

“I’m sorry. I misunderstood you.”

She couldn’t bring herself to look up.

“You’re right. I took out my frustrations on you, and it was because you’re young.”

The more she spoke, the more shameless she felt.

“I know an apology might not be enough.”

What was I thinking?

‘I must have been blind.’

“Oh my. You fool.

The boy station didn’t say a word. Yi Hajin raised her head slightly.

“He must be cursing.”

Still, it’s a bargain.

She was prepared for that too. But the boy station didn’t say a word. He seemed lost in thought for a moment.

“Hey, aren’t you going to say anything?”

“Oh. Sorry. Um, that’s a bit surprising.”

The boy shrugged, smiling.

“I didn’t expect you to apologize.”

“Sorry.”

“Yeah. It’s okay. Misunderstandings happen, right?”

Well, well.

‘Why is he so forgiving?’

Is it okay for humans to be like that?”